At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children through transitions and create engaging learning opportunities.
- Company: Join a dedicated team transforming lives in Somerset's education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Comprehensive training and support provided for your success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or social care, with strong knowledge of SEND.
The predicted salary is between 28598 - 32061 £ per year.
Full time (37 hours per week), all year-round position in the Transitions and Flexible Education Phase (Key Stage 2 and 3).
Hybrid working model with a balance of home, locality and office working.
Based in a locality but with the expectation that casework is needs focussed and can be across Somerset.
Permanent contract with 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
Salary: £28,598 to £32,061 per annum.
What will I be doing?
Are you ready to make a real difference in Somerset? Join us on a mission to transform lives! The Statutory Virtual School fulfils the statutory duty for Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children. In addition, the wider Virtual School team also supports children and young people with the most complex education situations from birth to adulthood across Somerset Localities.
The Virtual School is committed to ensuring all Somerset Children and Young People with acute needs and additional vulnerability, including our Children Looked After, enjoy education and achieve good outcomes that prepares them well for adulthood.
As a Learning Mentor, you will work directly with existing education settings, playing a key role in promoting positive educational outcomes and creating meaningful learning opportunities for children and young people, including those with acute and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Your role is central to fostering engagement, removing barriers, and helping each young person reach their full potential.
Here’s what your day will be like:
- Championing transitions: provide direct support for children and young people, guiding them through key transitions and helping them thrive, including visiting them in educational settings, at home or in the community.
- Building opportunities: develop and implement innovative strategies to boost learning, attendance, and overall attainment.
- Collaborating for success: work hand in hand with professionals and families to ensure seamless education participation and impactful support plans and take an active role in Team Around the Child (TAC) and Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings, contributing your expertise to improve the outcomes of children and young people.
- Offering advice and guidance: give advice and guidance to education settings, parents and carers, and multi-agency professionals.
- Tracking progress: keep detailed records on corporate systems, tracking attendance and children and young people’s progress to ensure no one gets left behind.
- Team player: problem-solve with colleagues, communicate and work together well in a solution-focussed way.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
We are committed to providing comprehensive training, guidance, and support to ensure you excel in this role. To be successful in this role you will have:
- Insightful knowledge: a strong understanding of educational settings and the unique challenges faced by children and young people with acute and complex needs.
- Statutory expertise: familiarity with SEND statutory responsibilities.
- Knowledge of closing learning gaps: a solid grasp of tailored intervention strategies and support plans that address the academic, social, and emotional needs of children and young people.
- Hands-on experience: previous work in educational settings, Children’s Social care, or similar environments.
- Qualifications: GCSE (Grade 4) education including English and Maths, along with at least NVQ Level 4/5 qualifications (or equivalent).
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for an informal discussion if there is anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What’s in it for me?
We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:
- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.
Anything else I should know?
The Salary for the Learning Mentor is Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061 per annum.
For an informal discussion about the role, you can contact Sarah Stabback, Senior Expert Advisor – Transitions and Flexible Education of Virtual School at sarah.stabback@somerset.gov.uk.
Interviews will take place w/c 23rd February 2026.
In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.
Learning Mentor - Transitions and Flexible Education in Taunton employer: Somerset County Council
As a Community Staff Nurse - Health Visitor in Somerset, you'll join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of children and families. Our supportive work culture prioritises professional development, offering excellent training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a stable work-life balance and access to employee wellbeing services. With a focus on safeguarding and community collaboration, this role provides a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Mentor - Transitions and Flexible Education in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their values and mission, especially how they support children and young people. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local education events. This can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about scenarios where you've supported children with complex needs or collaborated with families. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Learning Mentor position.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Mentor - Transitions and Flexible Education in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting children and young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in educational settings or working with children with complex needs. We love seeing how your background aligns with the role of Learning Mentor.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Somerset County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the educational settings and the unique challenges faced by children with acute needs. Brush up on SEND statutory responsibilities and be ready to discuss tailored intervention strategies that can help close learning gaps.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for supporting children and young people shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives, especially in transitions and flexible education.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Be prepared to talk about how you would work with professionals, families, and multi-agency teams. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in the past and how you can contribute to Team Around the Child (TAC) and Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask insightful questions about the role, the team, or the organisation's approach to supporting children with complex needs. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
