At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students with one-to-one mentoring and practical guidance.
- Company: Join Plumpton College, a supportive and inclusive educational environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, wellness perks, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a vibrant community culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while fostering a positive college experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting at-risk youth and strong interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29762 - 29762 £ per year.
Plumpton College is seeking a compassionate, proactive and student‑focused Pastoral Support Mentor to join our team. This is an important opportunity to support vulnerable, disadvantaged and at‑risk students by providing consistent pastoral mentoring, early intervention and practical support that helps them attend, engage, feel safe and progress successfully through college.
About The Role
As Pastoral Support Mentor, you will report to the Student Attendance and Engagement Coordinator and work closely with cohort leads, curriculum teams and specialist support services to provide timely, individualised support for students facing barriers to participation. You will act as a trusted adult for an identified caseload of students, offering one-to-one pastoral mentoring, regular check‑ins and practical guidance. Working within a tiered support model, you will help identify concerns early, coordinate support effectively and reduce the risk of disengagement, escalation or withdrawal. This is a non‑teaching pastoral role focused on improving attendance, engagement, inclusion and retention through strong relationships and preventative support.
You Will
- Provide one-to-one pastoral mentoring and act as a trusted adult for vulnerable, disadvantaged and at‑risk students.
- Build positive relationships that promote trust, belonging, confidence and engagement.
- Identify early signs of disengagement, poor attendance or emerging risk, and coordinate timely support.
- Triage referrals and signpost students to appropriate internal and external services.
- Work closely with curriculum, attendance and support teams to improve student participation, inclusion and retention.
- Support students through transition, re‑engagement and reintegration.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to meetings and intervention planning.
- Deliver at least one student enrichment activity during the college day.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in all aspects of the role.
About You
We are looking for a caring and capable individual with strong interpersonal skills, a student‑centred approach and experience of supporting young people who may face additional challenges.
Essential
- Experience of supporting vulnerable, disadvantaged or at‑risk young people, ideally in an education setting.
- Experience of one-to-one student support or mentoring.
- Understanding of early intervention, pastoral support and referral processes.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues.
- Strong organisational, record‑keeping and problem‑solving skills.
- A flexible, adaptable and student‑focused approach.
- Experience of positive behaviour management.
Why Join Us?
At Plumpton College, we live our values—Ambitious, Professional, Enterprising, Passionate, Supportive and Progressive—in everything we do.
You’ll Benefit From
We offer a competitive salary alongside a generous benefits package, including annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays and efficiency days at Christmas, depending on the working pattern for the role. Staff have access to a pension scheme and comprehensive CPD opportunities. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and a signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to foster an inclusive and supportive workplace. New colleagues benefit from a structured induction and supported probationary period, as well as a strong coaching culture with in‑house Level 5 trained coaches. Employees also enjoy a range of lifestyle and wellbeing benefits such as eligibility for a TOTUM card and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton wine and courses, free onsite parking, and an Employee Assistance Programme. Our commitment to staff wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through regular networking events, active EDI and Sustainability committees and social events at Christmas.
Basic working hours are 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, although some flexibility may be considered for the right candidate. Some evening and weekend working will be required to support student activities, recruitment events and wider college activities. We reserve the right to interview or close the vacancy early should we receive a high number of applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non‑discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis. Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Employment cannot begin until the appropriate DBS clearance has been received and considered. Apply now to join a forward‑thinking college and help make a lasting difference to students through pastoral support and mentoring.
Pastoral Support Mentor in Lewes employer: onlyFE
Plumpton College is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional development of its staff, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and support, employees enjoy access to extensive CPD opportunities, a structured induction process, and a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and community engagement. Join us in making a meaningful impact on students' lives while benefiting from a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Support Mentor in Lewes
✨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 onlyFE.
✨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 onlyFE!
✨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 onlyFE, 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 onlyFE 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 Pastoral Support Mentor in Lewes
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 onlyFE:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to onlyFE! 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 onlyFE
✨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.
