Job Title: Learning Support Mentor
Reporting To: Assistant Head of Department
Department: Engineering, Science and Computing
Location: Cambridge
Salary: £21,355 - £21,890 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full Time, Term Time Only (38 weeks per year)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Mode: On-site
Please note: This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a enhanced DBS check.
Job Purpose
- The Learning Support Mentor will support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to access the curriculum, achieve their individual learning outcomes and develop greater independence. The role involves working closely with lecturers, assessors and the Learning Support Manager to provide appropriate support across a range of learning environments.
- The successful candidate will help promote inclusion and ensure students can participate fully in their programme of study, including those with autism spectrum disorders, physical access needs, learning disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments and language impairments.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with lecturers and assessors to support students across a variety of learning environments, both inside and outside the classroom.
- Assist students with reading materials, note-taking, word processing, language development and the use of enabling technologies.
- Support students in achieving their personalised learning outcomes, including targets set out in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
- Adapt learning materials to meet individual needs, including enlarging text and modifying language where required.
- Promote student independence, confidence and inclusion, helping learners make progress towards their educational goals.
- Provide support outside the classroom, including during breaks, lunch periods, pre-arranged trips and off-campus study programmes where required.
- Maintain accurate records of student attendance, targets and progress, ensuring daily ProMonitor records reflect the support provided.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings and support continuous improvements in learning support services.
- Assist with therapy interventions, such as physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, following programmes and guidance provided by the relevant professionals.
- Work directly with students to review their support needs in line with internal college procedures.
- Attend statutory annual review meetings with parents and external professionals when requested by the Learning Support Manager.
- Work with colleagues to identify students' support needs, raise safeguarding concerns and refer students to learner services where appropriate.
- Recommend suitable ways to adapt learning materials to improve accessibility.
- Undertake relevant training and development as agreed with the Learning Support Manager.
- Support departmental welcome events throughout the academic year and work across college faculties according to programme needs.
- Carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and grade, including working at other college sites where required.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent, at grade C/4 or above.
- Recent and demonstrable experience supporting people with special educational needs.
- A sensitive, empathetic and supportive approach when working with young people and adults.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently using own initiative.
- Good computer literacy and the ability to take notes for students.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Reliability, patience, tact, understanding and adaptability.
- Willingness to learn new tasks and undertake relevant training.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
The following qualifications, experience and skills are desirable or may be developed as part of the role:
- A Level 2 Learning Support qualification, or willingness to work towards one.
- A qualification or experience relating to dyslexia support.
- A qualification in moving and handling or assisting people to move.
- Recent experience working with young people and adults across a range of age groups in a further education setting or another educational, healthcare or social services environment.
- Recent experience of sighted guiding.
- Familiarity with digital assistive technology.
Safeguarding and Compliance
This position is classified as regulated activity.
The successful candidate must undergo a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check, and meet the client's requirements. The DBS check will be renewed every four years.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.
The postholder must promote and safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and comply with relevant policies and procedures.
Working Arrangements
This is a permanent, full-time, term-time-only position, working 37 hours per week over 38 weeks per year.
The role is based on-site in Cambridge. Holiday entitlement is incorporated into the annual salary.
The salary is £21,355–£21,890 per annum, with membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The duties and responsibilities may be amended in consultation with the postholder to reflect changes in the role and the client's requirements.