Youth & Learning Mentor
Mary Elliot Academy, Walsall
£92.56 - £105 per day (salary depending on experience and/or qualifications)
September 2026 - Ongoing
Full Time | Long-Term | Temporary/Permanent
Job Summary
Are you passionate about helping young people build confidence, develop independence and overcome barriers to learning?
Mary Elliot Academy is looking for a Youth & Learning Mentor to support learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This role would suit someone with a background in youth work, mentoring, sports coaching, community work, education, pastoral support or care who is looking for a rewarding opportunity within a specialist school.
You will be someone who can build genuine relationships with young people, maintain clear boundaries and encourage learners to achieve things they may not believe they can.
The School and Role
Mary Elliot Academy is a specialist SEND setting supporting learners aged 11-18 with a range of needs including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs.
As a Youth & Learning Mentor, you will work alongside teachers and support staff to help learners engage with education and develop the skills they need for adulthood.
Your role may include:
- Building positive and trusting relationships with learners
- Supporting pupils to engage with classroom learning
- Encouraging confidence, resilience and independence
- Supporting communication and social development
- Helping learners develop appropriate behaviours and boundaries
- Supporting practical, vocational and life-skills activities
- Encouraging participation in physical and enrichment activities
- Supporting emotional regulation and positive engagement
- Helping learners prepare for life beyond school
- Working closely with teachers, support staff and other professionals
- Supporting personal care where required
This is not simply a classroom-based role. We are looking for someone who can connect with young people, understand their individual needs and become a consistent and positive role model.
Who We Are Looking For
We would particularly want to hear from people with backgrounds in:
- Youth Work
- Sports Coaching
- Mentoring
- Pastoral Support
- Community Support
- Residential Care
- Children's Services
- Teaching Assistance
- Learning Support
- Care and Support Work
The successful candidate will have:
- Strong relationship-building skills
- A calm, patient and positive approach
- Confidence setting boundaries and maintaining expectations
- Resilience when working with complex needs
- Excellent communication skills
- A proactive approach to supporting young people
- A genuine interest in SEND and supporting preparation for adulthood
- A willingness to support personal care where required
Previous experience in a school is not essential. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong transferable skills from working with young people in other environments.
Why Work in Specialist Educ
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