Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor - Term Time Only + 4 Weeks (Maternity Cover) in Middleton

Are you passionate about supporting young people facing significant challenges to education, wellbeing and safety? We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor to join our Safeguarding and Wellbeing team on a maternity cover basis. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of learners who require targeted support to overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.

In this specialist role, you will work with a designated cohort of learners who have identified vulnerabilities or barriers to learning, attendance and progression. This may include learners experiencing safeguarding concerns, mental health difficulties, family challenges, social care involvement, attendance issues, behavioural concerns, housing instability, exploitation risks, or other circumstances impacting their ability to engage successfully in education.

As a key member of the Safeguarding and Wellbeing team, you will deliver targeted interventions, coordinate support plans and act as a trusted professional for learners, families and curriculum staff. You will also respond to safeguarding and wellbeing referrals from across the wider college, working closely with Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, curriculum teams and external agencies to ensure concerns are identified, assessed and addressed appropriately. The role combines frontline safeguarding practice, early help and pastoral support.

You will be responsible for managing a caseload of vulnerable learners, contributing to multi‑agency planning, supporting attendance and engagement, undertaking risk assessments where required, and ensuring that accurate, timely records are maintained. A trauma‑informed approach sits at the heart of our work. We recognise that many young people have experienced adversity and require consistent, relational support to feel safe, valued and able to succeed. You will use strength‑based practice to build positive relationships, reduce barriers to participation and help learners develop resilience, confidence and independence.

We are looking for an individual with experience of working with young people who face complex challenges, alongside a strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and early help. You will be confident working in partnership with families, curriculum staff, local authorities and external professionals, whilst maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding and learner welfare.

• 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 within your identified cohort and their parents/carers and staff, ensuring effective communication and coordinated 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.
• Manage cases at Child in Need and Early Help Assessment level, ensuring compliance with statutory and legal requirements.
• Contribute to work under the new Family First Partnership framework, working collaboratively with partner agencies to support the development and delivery of the right plan for the family.
• Responsible for the attendance management of an identified cohort, implementing and coordinating targeted interventions to improve attendance.
• Lead responsibility for supporting learners at Tier 3 within the Attendance Policy (persistent absence).
• Implement the positive behaviour policy by managing the incident process and outcomes.
• Handle a caseload of learners with behavioural issues, identifying actions that can lead to an improvement in behaviour.
• 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 by serving as the first point of contact for learners experiencing poor mental health.
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults at the college.
• Facilitate the successful transition of learners by coordinating with secondary schools.
• Assist in the Enrolment process by capturing learner wellbeing and welfare information.
• Conduct home visits where there is an attendance/welfare/safety concern.
• To undertake training and CPD as required for the role.

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, business insurance, and access to a vehicle; 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 old’s in an education setting; Experience of supporting learners and families with safeguarding issues; Experience of dealing with behaviour management; Experience of working with cross college teams; Experience of working with young people in a pastoral and wellbeing setting; Experience of 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; Specific knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by young people; 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 know of Microsoft Office Programs.

This role is offered on a fixed‑term basis until March 2027, with the potential for a further extension.