At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults in building confidence and life skills through one-on-one mentoring.
- Company: The Senses Project, a supportive organisation focused on neurodiversity.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a friendly team dedicated to creating inclusive environments and celebrating achievements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young adults' lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting neurodiverse individuals.
The predicted salary is between 13.75 - 13.75 £ per hour.
The Senses Project supports young adults with with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing differences, and mental health needs to develop practical skills for navigating life independently.
Through its Independence Support Programme, the organisation provides long‑term, person‑centred support over an average of two years, guiding clients toward independent living and work opportunities.
The Senses Project also runs tailored workshops that offer social connection, shared learning, and short‑term progression toward greater independence.
Founded in 2018 to bridge gaps between children’s and adult services, the organisation focuses on helping young adults feel understood, inspired, and able to enjoy life while pursuing their goals.
Its long‑term vision is to see inclusive, accessible support options embedded within education and social systems, including workshops across colleges and universities in Dorset and Hampshire.
As a team we work hard to keep things feeling relaxed, friendly, fun, and inspiring for each other.
The mindset behind how we run is embraced and supported by a structure where we all learn and grow together.
This also created a lot of opportunities to up‑skill, try new work, and take on more responsibility with different roles in the company.
Role Description
The Support Mentor is a full‑time / part‑time, on‑site role based in Poole, working directly with young adults to build confidence, independence, and life skills.
In this role, the Support Mentor will provide one‑to‑one and small‑group support, helping clients set goals, develop routines, and practice skills related to daily living, social interaction, education, and employment.
The Support Mentor will facilitate participation in the Independence Support Programme and Workshops, adapting activities to individual needs and preferences while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment.
Key responsibilities include observing and recording progress, communicating regularly with clients and their support networks, and leading the plan alongside clients for their progression.
The role also involves promoting client autonomy, celebrating achievements, and contributing ideas to enhance services and create new opportunities for young adults.
Within your role you will have allocated office hours to manage support guides, risk assessments, reviews, assessments, and learn the wider running of the organisation.
Qualifications
- Candidates should possess strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills to build trusting, respectful relationships with young adults and their support networks.
- Candidates should possess skills in mentoring, coaching, and goal‑setting to help clients develop independence, self‑advocacy, and practical life skills.
- Candidates should possess skills in planning and facilitating group activities or workshops, including adapting content to diverse learning styles and support needs.
- Candidates should possess skills in observation, note‑taking, and basic documentation to monitor progress and maintain accurate, confidential records.
- Candidates should ideally have experience or knowledge related to Autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and mental health, and be comfortable working in a neurodiversity‑affirming way.
- Candidates should demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small, values‑driven team.
- Candidates should ideally have prior experience in support work, education, social care, or a related field; relevant training or qualifications (e. g., health and social care, psychology, education) are an advantage but not essential.
- Pay
- The current rate for our support mentors (post‑probation) is £13.75ph.
- Candidates will be required to complete a probationary period during which pay rates are: £12.71ph.
- We pay enhanced rates for Wake Nights, or Sleep Ins which occasionally may be required.
- Bank holidays are paid at 'Double Rate'.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Support Mentor in Poole employer: The Senses Project
The Senses Project is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both its clients and staff. Located in Poole, the organisation prioritises employee growth through hands-on experience and opportunities to up-skill, all while maintaining a relaxed and friendly work culture. With a focus on meaningful impact, employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and take on new responsibilities, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about empowering young adults with diverse needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Mentor in Poole
✨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 Senses Project.
✨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 Senses Project!
✨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 Senses Project, 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 Senses Project 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 Support Mentor in Poole
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 Senses Project:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Senses Project! 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 Senses Project
✨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.
