At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in building confidence and overcoming learning barriers.
- Company: Milk Education, a supportive specialist school in Darlington.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, free training, and 24/7 consultant support.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for long-term growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by helping them feel safe and confident.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth work, mentoring, or education is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 22995 - 28105 £ per year.
- DARLINGTON – SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor
- Darlington | September 2026 | Specialist SEND School | Full-Time
- More Than Support – SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor | Darlington
Could you be the person who helps a young person feel understood, confident and ready to take on the day?
- Milk Education is looking for a
- SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor to join a supportive specialist school in
Darlington .
This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about building relationships, encouraging confidence and helping young people overcome barriers to learning .
Your previous experience could be in youth work, care, mentoring, sports coaching, psychology, childcare, education or community support .
- What You’ll Be Doing
- Building strong, trusting relationships with pupils.
- Encouraging communication and positive social interaction.
- Supporting confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
- Helping pupils engage with learning and school activities.
- Providing 1:1 and small-group support.
- Supporting pupils with practical and sensory activities.
- Helping children develop strategies to manage challenges.
- Encouraging independence and celebrating progress.
- Working closely with teachers and specialist staff.
- Getting involved in creative, outdoor and enrichment activities.
- We’re Looking For Someone Who…
- Is calm, patient, warm and approachable .
- Has a natural ability to build relationships.
- Is passionate about supporting children and young people.
- Can remain positive and consistent when things don’t go to plan.
- Has experience in SEND, care, mentoring, youth work, childcare or education — desirable but not essential .
- Is a graduate, aspiring teacher or someone with volunteering/placement experience working with children .
- Is confident working both independently and as part of a team.
- Is reliable, adaptable and ready to get stuck in.
- Why This Role Matters
For some young people, walking through the school gates can be a huge achievement.
Your role isn't just about supporting learning.
It’s about helping a pupil feel safe enough to try, confident enough to participate and proud enough to celebrate their progress.
Sometimes, being the right person at the right moment can change a child’s entire day.
Why Milk Education?
- Competitive rates of pay with temp-to-perm routes available.
- Speedy registration process & fast-track compliance.
- Flexible days and working hours to suit your schedule.
- FREE CPD training.
- FREE PSHE lesson plans and resources.
- Educator Wellbeing support.
- School Preparation Pack.
- 24/7 support from your personal consultant.
- Long-term and permanent opportunities.
This role is paid within the advertised pay scale. Your starting rate will be determined by your qualifications, relevant experience, and the requirements of the assignment.
Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment.
All applicants will be subject to compliance checks in line with Df E, Keeping Children Safe in Education and APSCo guidelines.
Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy, available on our website.
Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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DARLINGTON – SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DARLINGTON – SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor
✨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 Milk Education.
✨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 Milk Education!
✨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 Milk Education, 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 Milk Education 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 DARLINGTON – SEND Wellbeing & Engagement Mentor
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 Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! 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 Milk Education
✨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.
