SEN Learning & Development Support Assistant in Plymouth

SEN Learning Mentor - Build Your Career in Specialist Education

Location

Plymouth, Devon

Contract

Full-Time | Permanent Opportunity Available

Make an Impact Now. Build Your Career for the Future.

If you want a role where you can make a genuine difference to young people while developing valuable specialist skills, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

A specialist education provision in Plymouth is looking for a motivated SEN Learning Mentor to support children and young people who face additional barriers to learning.

You'll gain hands‑on experience supporting pupils with needs including Autism, ADHD, SEMH and other learning differences, while working alongside experienced education and SEND professionals.

With the potential to move into a permanent position, this is particularly suited to someone who isn't simply looking for their next job, but wants to start building a longer‑term career within specialist education.

Learn From Experience Every Day

As a Learning Mentor, you'll work directly with young people who may need additional encouragement, structure and consistency to engage successfully with education.

Your Role Will Involve

• Building positive and trusting relationships with pupils
• Providing individual and small-group support
• Helping young people become more confident and independent
• Supporting pupils who find traditional classroom environments challenging
• Encouraging engagement through practical and creative approaches
• Helping pupils understand and regulate their emotions
• Supporting positive behaviour and decision‑making
• Working towards individual learning and development goals
• Taking part in enrichment and community‑based activities
• Working alongside teachers and specialist professionals to support pupil progress

You'll develop an understanding of the individual behind the behaviour and learn how the right support can help a young person reconnect with education.

Develop Skills That Can Take You Further

One of the biggest advantages of working within specialist education is the range of professional skills you'll develop.

• You’ll Gain Practical Experience In Areas Such As
• SEND and inclusive practice
• Autism and neurodiversity
• SEMH support
• ADHD
• Behaviour and emotional regulation
• Safeguarding
• Mentoring and relationship building
• Individualised learning
• Pastoral support
• Working within a multidisciplinary team

These are skills that can provide a strong foundation for progression throughout education and children's services.

Where Could This Role Lead?

There isn't just one career path from a Learning Mentor position.

• Senior Learning Mentor
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant
• SEND Specialist
• Behaviour or Pastoral Lead
• Family Support Worker
• Youth Worker
• Teacher or SEND Teacher
• SENCO
• Social Care Professional

The experience can also be particularly valuable for graduates or career changers interested in psychology, educational psychology, counselling, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy or social work.

You may not know exactly where you want to end up yet.

This role gives you the opportunity to gain experience and discover which aspects of supporting young people you're most passionate about.

What Could You Bring?

We're keen to hear from people with experience in education, care, youth work, mentoring, support work, coaching or other environments involving children, young people or vulnerable individuals.

Your personal qualities matter too.

• You’ll Need To Be
• Patient and emotionally resilient
• Positive and encouraging
• Comfortable building relationships with young people
• Able to remain calm and consistent when situations become challenging
• Adaptable in your approach
• Keen to learn and develop professionally
• Confident working independently and as part of a team
• Committed to helping young people achieve positive outcomes

You'll also need a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, alongside an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service or willingness to obtain one.

A Role With Room to Grow

You'll be joining a supportive specialist environment where you can build your confidence, broaden your responsibilities and learn from experienced colleagues.

The Opportunity Includes

• Full-time hours and long‑term stability
• Potential progression into a permanent position
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Hands‑on SEND and SEMH experience
• Support from experienced specialist education professionals
• Opportunities to develop additional responsibilities
• Valuable experience for future professional training or study
• Take Your Career in a New Direction

If you want your next position to give you more than another line on your CV, this could be your chance to develop specialist expertise and begin building a rewarding career supporting children and young people.

Safeguarding

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All appointments are subject to appropriate Enhanced DBS checks, references and safer recruitment procedures.

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