At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in alternative provision, helping them re-engage with learning and build confidence.
- Company: Join Five Education, a caring organisation dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Transparent PAYE payroll, holiday pay, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to promote inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives by unlocking their potential and providing emotional support.
- Qualifications: Experience with children in alternative settings and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Do you see the potential in children who don’t always fit the mainstream system? While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required. We are looking for a caring, resilient, and empathetic Learning Mentor to join Five Education with a view to supporting a busy Alternative Provision and their children. This role is centred around the child's wellbeing whilst supporting them with their education. We are looking to recruit someone who will help support a child, unlock their potential as a learner through positive reinforcement, and help them feel valued and understood whilst at school. Many of the children you’ll support may have experienced challenges such as exclusion, disrupted education, anxiety, or difficult life circumstances. Sometimes, a reliable person who shows up every day to give them the best possible learning is all they need to help turn their education around.
About The Role
As a Learning Mentor, you will work closely with children and young people both on‑site and in the community, offering tailored support that helps them re‑engage with learning and build confidence in themselves.
You’ll Be a Trusted Adult Who:
- Builds strong, positive relationships with learners who may struggle to trust
- Supports emotional regulation, behaviour, and engagement with learning
- Delivers one‑to‑one and small group mentoring
- Encourages life skills, resilience, and positive decision‑making
- Works alongside families, schools, and professionals to support each child holistically
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience working with children or young people in alternative provision, SEMH, youth work, mentoring, or similar settings
- A calm, patient, and empathetic approach; especially during challenging moments
- The ability to be consistent, firm but fair, and emotionally available
- A full, clean driving licence and access to your own car (essential, as the role involves travel to different settings and community locations)
- Strong communication skills and a genuine passion for supporting young people
Pay: Five Education operates a PAYE payroll; this is the most transparent way to be paid with no hidden fees such as admin fee or employer's NI. Please note pay rate is for illustration and does include holiday pay.
Vetting: Five Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all of the staff we employ to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo checks including reference checks, TRA checks and will need to have a DBS; there will also be an interview. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as they are currently under‑represented at this level.
Learning Mentor in Plymouth employer: Five
Five Education in Gloucester is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Nursery SEND Practitioners. With a strong emphasis on professional development through free training and a collaborative culture, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children with additional needs. The company's commitment to enhancing wellbeing and development ensures that staff feel valued and motivated in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Mentor in Plymouth
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Five.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Five!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Five, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Five or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Mentor in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Five:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Five! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Five
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
