At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and support young people with SEMH needs in a dynamic learning environment.
- Company: Hill View School, a specialist school focused on trauma-informed education.
- Benefits: Year-round salary, generous pension, health perks, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a strong community culture and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a passion for connecting with young people.
The predicted salary is between 18400 - 20500 £ per year.
Hill View School is a specialist school for learners with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are seeking dedicated, relatable, and dynamic Learning Mentors to join our trauma-informed team. This role is not your traditional classroom support position. It is a challenging, demanding, and incredibly rewarding role that requires a unique set of skills. We are looking for individuals who can act as positive role models, connect with young people on their level, and help them overcome significant barriers to achieve their full potential.
About the Role at Hill View: Our school is built on "The Hill View Way," a therapeutic and relational approach where we understand that all behaviour is a form of communication, often signalling an unmet need. As a Learning Mentor, you will be a vital part of creating a safe, predictable, and nurturing environment. Moving beyond traditional academic support, you will be an active, dynamic partner in our young people's daily lives. We actively encourage our Learning Mentors to bring their outside passions into the school, whether that's mechanics, coding, tabletop gaming, or sports, to enrich our wider curriculum and engage hard-to-reach learners. Whether you are supporting them through an ambitious lesson, guiding them through dynamic off-site activities, or acting as an anchor during a moment of crisis, your primary tool will be the trusting relationship you build with them. In return for your resilience and dedication, you will experience a career that is as profoundly rewarding as it is challenging. There is no greater feeling than watching a young person finally break through a barrier, knowing that your unwavering support, patience, and authentic care were the direct catalyst for their success.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Acting positive role model: Inspiring and motivating learners to achieve their goals, fostering confidence and resilience.
- Dynamic Support: Working alongside learners in the classroom, during hands-on/off-site activities, and providing 1:1 support during moments of dysregulation.
- Therapeutic Intervention: Actively contributing to a therapeutic learning environment, using co-regulation and de-escalation strategies (such as our "Bounce Approach") to support learners in distress.
- Skill Development: Helping young people develop essential life skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
- Championing our Values: Embodying and actively modelling our core school values in every interaction: We Stay Safe, We Are Respectful, We Learn More.
- Collaboration: Working closely with the class team, therapists, and parent carers to ensure a consistent, shared approach to each learner's progress.
About You (Ideal Candidate Profile):
You might have a background in youth work, sports coaching, outreach, or pastoral care—or you might simply have a natural ability to build meaningful connections with young people. We are looking for individuals who possess:
- Exceptional emotional and physical resilience and the ability to maintain a calm, positive, and professional demeanour in highly challenging situations.
- Genuine empathy and a non-judgemental attitude, with the ability to see the child behind the behaviour.
- The agility to build authentic, highly resilient connections across a diverse age range (5-16), getting on their level to act as a trusted confidant.
- A strong belief in a trauma-informed, relational, and restorative approach to education.
- An unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children.
Why Join Our Team?
Real Security & Exceptional Benefits: Working in an SEMH environment is demanding. We believe that to support our most vulnerable learners, our staff need absolute stability and peace of mind, something daily agency supply roles simply cannot offer. At Hill View School, we offer a secure, direct contract with unparalleled benefits designed to help you be the best you:
- Year-Round Financial Security: Unlike agency roles where you go unpaid during school closures, your salary is distributed evenly across 12 monthly payments. You are fully paid during the 13 weeks of school holidays.
- Generous Pension Scheme: Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). We offer a massive employer contribution rate of 19%, plus a wide range of benefits and discounts which can be accessed through a Blue Light card.
- Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive occupational sick pay, access to PAM Wellness, access to gym classes, and a dedicated Staff Wellbeing Charter.
- Unrivalled Professional Development: We invest in your growth at every stage of your career. This includes comprehensive training in de-escalation (CPI) and our therapeutic "Bounce Approach", alongside weekly CPD via our PEAK programme to build your specialist skills.
- Flexible Working & Support: We support your work-life balance and are open to exploring suitable flexible working arrangements. We provide a highly supportive environment where we prioritise respect, equality, diversity, and well-being.
- Community Culture & Everyday Perks: Collaboration and generosity are at the heart of our team. You will be supported by a structured induction programme, a dedicated staff buddy, and a leadership team committed to managing workload. Plus, enjoy paid lunches and free tea and coffee!
The Details:
- Salary: £24,500 FTE (Actual Guaranteed Pro-Rata Salary: £18,943.78)
- Hours: 32.5 Hours per week, Term time plus INSET days (8:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday)
- Start Date: September 2026
- Closing Date: 10th June
- Shortlisting: 11th June
- Interview Date: 16th June
We are eager to welcome new members to our team who understand both the challenges and the immense rewards of this work. If you are a resilient, relatable, and compassionate individual ready to build a career in specialist education, we look forward to receiving your application.
Please note: This position is subject to satisfactory references and a comprehensive background check. The closing date is subject to change, dependent on the number of applications received. Hill View School is part of The Oak Partnership Trust.
Safeguarding Statement
Hill View School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to understand and share this commitment. We have a shared commitment to develop a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated. We welcome all applications, including those from under-represented groups, including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
SEMH Learning Mentor in Martock employer: Hill View School
Hill View School is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both staff and students. With a strong emphasis on professional development, generous benefits including year-round financial security and a robust pension scheme, and a collaborative work culture that values respect and well-being, we empower our Learning Mentors to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with SEMH needs. Join us to be part of a team that not only transforms lives but also prioritises your growth and happiness.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Learning Mentor in Martock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, check out Hill View School's website and social media. Understanding their values and approach will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Think about your experiences that relate to supporting young people with SEMH needs. Share specific examples during your interview that highlight your resilience and ability to connect with learners on a personal level.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! Authenticity is key when working with young people. Let your personality shine through in your interactions, whether it’s sharing your hobbies or how you relate to the students. This will help you build trust and rapport.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to express why you’d be a great fit for the team at Hill View School.
We think you need these skills to ace SEMH Learning Mentor in Martock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your personality and how you connect with young people. Share your passions and interests that could enrich our school community.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and needs of Hill View School. Highlight your experience and skills that align with supporting learners with SEMH needs. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Resilience:This role can be challenging, so don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've handled tough situations in the past. We’re looking for individuals who can maintain a calm and positive demeanour, even when things get tricky.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us quickly and securely. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our school!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hill View School
✨Know the Hill View Way
Familiarise yourself with 'The Hill View Way' and how it shapes the school's approach to education. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating a safe and nurturing environment for learners with SEMH needs.
✨Showcase Your Unique Skills
Think about your outside passions and how they can enrich the curriculum. Whether it's mechanics, sports, or gaming, be prepared to share specific examples of how you can connect with students through these interests.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Resilience
Prepare to discuss situations where you've maintained a calm and positive demeanour in challenging circumstances. Use real-life examples to illustrate your emotional resilience and ability to build trust with young people.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working collaboratively with others, such as teachers, therapists, and parents. Be ready to explain how you can contribute to a consistent approach in supporting each learner's progress.
