Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor - Term Time Only 4 Weeks in Middleton

Are you passionate about supporting and empowering young people to thrive? We are pleased to offer an opportunity to join our Safeguarding and Wellbeing team as a Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor. In this role, you will provide statutory, pastoral and welfare support to a designated cohort of learners within a specific curriculum area. This includes monitoring attendance, intervening in cases of persistent absence and children missing education, and acting as a consistent and trusted point of contact for learners who may be facing barriers to engaging in education.

As a key member of the Safeguarding and Wellbeing team, you will deliver front‑line and early help supporting learners experiencing a wide range of challenges. These may include mental health concerns, difficulties at home, crisis situations, or the need for critical or multi‑agency support. You will work closely with learners, families, curriculum staff and external professionals to ensure timely, appropriate and effective interventions are in place. This role reflects our continued commitment to responding to the increasingly complex and evolving needs of young people. It goes beyond day‑to‑day support and focuses on early intervention, advocacy and safeguarding, helping learners to overcome obstacles, build resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

A trauma‑informed approach sits at the heart of this role. You will be expected to understand the impact of adversity on young people, respond with empathy and consistency, and use relational, strength‑based practice to help learners feel safe, valued and able to re‑engage in their education. This includes adapting your approach to meet individual needs, reducing barriers, and promoting resilience, trust and positive relationships. We are looking for someone who is compassionate, proactive and highly organised, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with learners, parents/carers and partner agencies. You will be confident in building trusting relationships while maintaining clear professional boundaries and a strong focus on safeguarding and wellbeing.

If you are motivated by making a genuine difference to young people’s lives and want to be part of a skilled, supportive safeguarding team, we would welcome your application.

• To provide statutory, pastoral and welfare responsibilities for a designated cohort of learners in a specific curriculum area. This includes monitoring attendance and intervening in cases of persistent absence, children missing education.
• As a key member of the Safeguarding and Welfare team, you will provide front line and early help support for learners facing a wide range of barriers to education.
• Responsibilities also involve identifying and monitoring vulnerable and 'at risk' learners within your remit.
• You will work closely with cross‑college teams to ensure that these learners are retained by the college, maintaining detailed records of your interventions and support provided.
• Additionally, you will serve as the single point of contact for learners, parents, and staff, ensuring effective communication and support for all parties involved.
• To provide Early Help support for both the college and Local Authority as soon as issues arise.
• To lead on Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children (LAC), Children with a Social Worker, children working with Youth Justice in collaboration with Social Services.
• Provide comprehensive support for Care Experienced students, including participation in LAC Reviews, Care Planning, Placement Planning Meetings, and Care Leavings.
• To assist the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Lead with managing a caseload of Child in Need Plans.
• Attendance – work closely with Curriculum Managers to improve attendance.
• Implement the positive behaviour policy by managing the incident process and outcomes.
• Be the designated point of contact for parents and carers, fostering and maintaining positive, supportive relationships.
• Support the implementation of the college’s Mental Health Strategy.
• Developing a positive and supportive connection with learners, creating an atmosphere of trust and support.
• Facilitate the successful transition of learners by coordinating with secondary schools.
• Assist in the Enrolment process by capturing learner wellbeing and welfare information.
• Maintain accurate records of interventions.
• To conduct home visits where there is an attendance/welfare/safety concern.
• To undertake training and CPD as required for the role.
• Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required.

Qualifications

• Essential Criteria: Level 2 or GCSE 4 or above in English and Maths, Educated to Level 3/A Level or above, Full UK driving Licence, access to a vehicle and business insurance, Mental Health First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training.
• Desirable Criteria: Teaching qualification e.g. Level 3 Cert of Education and Training (PTLLS), First Aid qualification or willingness to obtain.

Experience

• Essential Criteria: Experience of working with 16-18-year olds in an education setting, supporting learners and families with safeguarding issues, dealing with behaviour management, understanding of attendance management, working with cross college teams, working with young people in a pastoral and wellbeing setting, dealing with safeguarding and mental health concerns.
• Desirable Criteria: Experience of the Education Inspection framework, Experience of the Prevent Strategy.

Specialist Knowledge

• Essential Criteria: Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection, understanding of the issues faced by young people that impact on their wellbeing, safety and mental health, understanding a Trauma‑informed approach, good understanding of mental health issues.

IT Skills

• Essential Criteria: Good working knowledge of IT and digital safeguarding systems, basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, understanding of college systems.