At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and support young people with SEMH needs in a dynamic learning environment.
- Company: Hill View School, a specialist school focused on emotional and mental health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid holidays, pension scheme, wellness support, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to respect, equality, and well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while growing your own skills and career.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a passion for connecting with young people.
The predicted salary is between 18944 - 25185 £ per year.
Inspire, Guide, and Transform Lives at Hill View School. Hill View School is a specialist school for learners with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are seeking dedicated, relatable, and dynamic Learning Mentors to join our trauma-informed team.
This role is not your traditional classroom support position. It is a challenging, demanding, and incredibly rewarding role that requires a unique set of skills. We are looking for individuals who can act as positive role models, connect with young people on their level, and help them overcome significant barriers to achieve their full potential.
About the Role at Hill View:
Our school is built on "The Hill View Way," a therapeutic and relational approach where we understand that all behaviour is a form of communication, often signalling an unmet need. As a Learning Mentor, you will be a vital part of creating a safe, predictable, and nurturing environment. Moving beyond traditional academic support, you will be an active, dynamic partner in our young people's daily lives. We actively encourage our Learning Mentors to bring their outside passions into the school, whether that's mechanics, coding, tabletop gaming, or sports, to enrich our wider curriculum and engage hard-to-reach learners. Whether you are supporting them through an ambitious lesson, guiding them through dynamic off-site activities, or acting as an anchor during a moment of crisis, your primary tool will be the trusting relationship you build with them. In return for your resilience and dedication, you will experience a career that is as profoundly rewarding as it is challenging. There is no greater feeling than watching a young person finally break through a barrier, knowing that your unwavering support, patience, and authentic care were the direct catalyst for their success.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Inspiring and motivating learners to achieve their goals, fostering confidence and resilience.
- Working alongside learners in the classroom, during hands-on/off-site activities, and providing 1:1 support during moments of dysregulation.
- Actively contributing to a therapeutic learning environment, using co-regulation and de-escalation strategies (such as our "Bounce Approach") to support learners in distress.
- Helping young people develop essential life skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
- Embodying and actively modelling our core school values in every interaction: We Stay Safe, We Are Respectful, We Learn More.
- Working closely with the class team, therapists, and parent carers to ensure a consistent, shared approach to each learner's progress.
About You (Ideal Candidate Profile):
You might have a background in youth work, sports coaching, outreach, or pastoral care—or you might simply have a natural ability to build meaningful connections with young people. We are looking for individuals who possess:
- Exceptional emotional and physical resilience and the ability to maintain a calm, positive, and professional demeanour in highly challenging situations.
- Genuine empathy and a non-judgemental attitude, with the ability to see the child behind the behaviour.
- The agility to build authentic, highly resilient connections across a diverse age range (5-16), getting on their level to act as a trusted confidant.
- A strong belief in a trauma-informed, relational, and restorative approach to education.
- An unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children.
Why Join Our Team?
Working in an SEMH environment is demanding. We believe that to support our most vulnerable learners, our staff need absolute stability and peace of mind, something daily agency supply roles simply cannot offer. At Hill View School, we offer a secure, direct contract with unparalleled benefits designed to help you be the best you:
- Unlike agency roles where you go unpaid during school closures, your salary is distributed evenly across 12 monthly payments. You are fully paid during the 13 weeks of school holidays.
- Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). We offer a massive employer contribution rate of 19%, plus a wide range of benefits and discounts which can be accessed through a Blue Light card.
- Comprehensive occupational sick pay, access to PAM Wellness, access to gym classes, and a dedicated Staff Wellbeing Charter.
- We invest in your growth at every stage of your career. This includes comprehensive training in de-escalation (CPI) and our therapeutic "Bounce Approach", alongside weekly CPD via our PEAK programme to build your specialist skills.
- We support your work-life balance and are open to exploring suitable flexible working arrangements. We provide a highly supportive environment where we prioritise respect, equality, diversity, and well-being.
- Collaboration and generosity are at the heart of our team. You will be supported by a structured induction programme, a dedicated staff buddy, and a leadership team committed to managing workload. Plus, enjoy paid lunches and free tea and coffee!
The Details:
- Salary: £25,185 FTE (Actual Guaranteed Pro-Rata Salary: £18,943.78)
- Hours: 32.5 Hours per week, Term time plus INSET days (8:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday)
- Start Date: September 2026
- Closing Date: 8th July
- Shortlisting: 9th July
- Interview Date: 14th July
We are eager to welcome new members to our team who understand both the challenges and the immense rewards of this work. If you are a resilient, relatable, and compassionate individual ready to build a career in specialist education, we look forward to receiving your application.
Please note: This position is subject to satisfactory references and a comprehensive background check. The closing date is subject to change, dependent on the number of applications received.
SEMH Learning Mentor in London employer: The Oak Partnership
Hill View School is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both staff and students. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive training, and a collaborative work culture that prioritises respect and personal growth. Located in the picturesque Martock, Somerset, our school provides unique opportunities for Learning Mentors to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Learning Mentor in London
✨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 The Oak Partnership.
✨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 The Oak Partnership!
✨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 The Oak Partnership, 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 The Oak Partnership 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 SEMH Learning Mentor in London
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 The Oak Partnership:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Oak Partnership! 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 The Oak Partnership
✨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.
