At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with learning disabilities on their journey to independence.
- Company: Join MacIntyre, a charity dedicated to empowering individuals with unique needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time work, competitive pay, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible roles available, with travel across the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring your warmth and curiosity!
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Looking for a meaningful career where no two days are the same? Welcome to No Limits at MacIntyre. At MacIntyre, we don’t just offer jobs; we offer opportunities to change lives. If you’ve ever imagined working in education but outside the confines of a traditional classroom, this could be your perfect next step.
No Limits is our innovative education programme for young people aged 16+ with learning disabilities and/or autism. Together, we explore real-world learning in the community, in work placements, and through personalised support that adapts to each young person's interests and needs. This role is term-time only (39 weeks per year); we can offer either 3 or 5 day roles.
In this role, you’ll support young people on their journey to independence. You’ll help them build confidence, develop essential life skills, and discover their own unique path into adulthood. You might be supporting someone like Harriet: Harriet found the classroom overwhelming. With social anxiety and a speech impediment, she often felt unheard and unsupported. When Harriet joined No Limits, we worked closely with her to understand her communication style, introduce assistive technology, and empower her to make choices in her day-to-day life. Now, she’s confidently ordering her own food in cafés and is thriving at college with support from the MacIntyre team.
What we’re looking for:
- We’re not looking for formal teaching experience; we’ll provide full training.
- What really matters is who you are: Are you warm, energetic and curious about people? Can you see potential where others see challenge? Do you believe in listening first, then acting with empathy and creativity? If yes, you’re already speaking our language.
- You’ll need a full UK manual driving licence, as travel is an essential part of the role.
Why join us?
- A role with real variety; every day brings something new.
- The chance to work 1:1 or in small groups with young people in their own communities.
- Ongoing training and development in a supportive, values-led organisation.
- The opportunity to be part of a team that puts relationships and respect at the heart of everything we do.
This is more than a job. It’s a chance to be someone who makes a difference, helping young people grow in confidence, build independence, and feel proud of who they are. If you’re ready to start a career where you matter as much as the people you support, we’d love to hear from you.
MacIntyre empowers people to live a life that makes sense to them.
About you:
Experience is not essential. For us, underlying ability and attitude are just as important as background and experience. If you have not worked in the field of education before, then please don’t be put off. We can provide all of the specialist training you need, but we can’t train you to have initiative, to be friendly and patient, and those are essential qualities for this work.
You must be a driver with a UK Manual Driving Licence and have your own transport, willing and able to travel across the area, supporting young people from their own homes. Reasonable mileage is reimbursed. GCSEs (or equivalent) minimum C grade in English and Mathematics are essential.
Some more things you need to know:
- Most of your work will be during term-time but there is up to three weeks' training and development commitment during academic holidays.
- Some young people require assistance with personal care or medication.
About us:
MacIntyre is a national charity which supports over 1,200 people with a learning disability and/or autism. We were founded in 1966 by the visionary parent of a child with disabilities and have been growing steadily ever since. We celebrate and develop everyone’s unique gifts, talents and contributions. No Limits is our further education division, providing bespoke education programmes to children and young people for whom more traditional learning environments are not appropriate.
Training and Development:
At MacIntyre, we fully support your training and development. We know it can be daunting to start a new job, and not everyone learns the same way, so throughout your probation we will provide you with a mixture of eLearning, face-to-face training and mentoring support whilst on the job. This includes supporting you to complete the Level 3 Award in Education and Training.
But it doesn’t stop there - throughout your career with us you will have access to our own dedicated in-house Learning and Development team, Quality Specialists and HR Teams. These teams, along with your Manager, will provide you with opportunities to learn and develop professionally as well as enabling and supporting you to achieve professional qualifications and career progression opportunities - all free of charge.
Pay and Rewards:
We provide a range of benefits to reward and thank our staff which includes:
- 5.6 weeks' annual leave including statutory public holidays.
- Workplace Pension scheme; MacIntyre will contribute 3% of your salary to all eligible employees.
- MacIntyre Staff Savings Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
- Health Cash Plan which provides money back on core health treatments such as: optical, dental, physiotherapy, chiropody (at reduced cost).
- MacIntyre Sick Pay (qualifying period).
- Life assurance scheme offering valuable benefits to your dependents.
- MacIntyre Rewards Scheme which recognises and rewards staff.
- MacIntyre Perks which offers up to 6% discount off leading retailers including Tesco, Curry/PC World, Costa and many more.
- Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street for emergency and social care staff.
- Enhanced DBS Certificate (cost paid by MacIntyre).
How to apply:
If this job sounds like the right fit for you, click on the Apply button on the MacIntyre website, complete some brief details and upload your CV.
Please note: we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don’t delay, apply today.
Safer Recruitment and Diversity statement:
MacIntyre safeguards and promotes the welfare of the children, young people and adults we support. Therefore we work with successful candidates to complete appropriate checks prior to joining. MacIntyre is committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion among our workforce. We want our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and the people we support.
Mentor (No experience required) in Milton Keynes employer: MacIntyre
At MacIntyre, we are dedicated to empowering young people with learning disabilities and autism through our innovative No Limits programme. As a mentor, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises personal growth, ongoing training, and the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those you support. With flexible working arrangements, generous benefits, and a commitment to inclusivity, MacIntyre is an exceptional employer for those seeking a meaningful career in education outside traditional settings.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mentor (No experience required) in Milton Keynes
✨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 MacIntyre.
✨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 MacIntyre!
✨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 MacIntyre, 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 MacIntyre 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 Mentor (No experience required) in Milton Keynes
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 MacIntyre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MacIntyre! 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 MacIntyre
✨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.
