Learning Mentor

 

Be a force of positive change and join our team of Learning Mentors

 

Support Connect Ltd specialises in providing comprehensive assistance, resources, and support to learners with disabilities or additional learning needs, with a focus on enhancing their experience, social mobility, and prospects. Working across funding streams we provide support to learners who are undertaking apprenticeships and those who are in receipt of disabled student allowance (DSA) and undertaking a degree programme.

 

Whether it's through personalised guidance, targeted resources, or effective strategies, we are here to help learners overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. In short - we exist to connect people with the support that they need.

 

We are expanding our provision and are currently recruiting for an experienced Learning Mentor who meets the Department for Education’s (DFE) mandatory qualifications and professional body membership requirements. As such, we are recruiting someone who is able to work confidently and professionally with higher education learners. 

 

As a Learning Mentor you will be joining Support Connect's rapidly expanding support provision at an exciting time. You will be working as part of a team of Learning Mentors and Wellbeing Mentors who deliver highly specialised, individually tailored, academic and wellbeing support to learners. These barriers will be within the learning environment and be created by their learning difference, disability, impairment and/or condition (i.e., neurodivergent traits, mental health conditions, autistic spectrum disorder (ASC) etc).  

 

Learning Mentors focus on developing confidence and enabling learners to manage the impact of their disability, learning difficulty or mental health condition alongside their studies. This is done through acquiring practical strategies which help promote the learner’s independence and autonomy. As a Learning Mentor you will work on a one-to-one basis helping learners identify their barriers to learning and support them to develop strategies to address these. This can include developing skills such as academic competences (organisation, test/exam preparation, concentration difficulties, independent study techniques and memory skills) and support with spelling, punctuation, grammar, and communication strategies alongside general motivational support. 

 

The Role:

 

As a Learning Mentor you will work on a one-to-one basis providing study skills support and mentoring sessions for apprentices and other learners with specific learning difficulties e.g., dyslexia, autism and other learning differences. All support will be tailored to the individual learner’s needs and will be conducted on a one-to-one, remote basis. The support will aim to develop the learners study skills and strategies to enable them to work effectively in a higher education context, in the presence of their condition. Each session you deliver will equip the learner with strategies, which in time, will enable them to become an independent learner. Together with the student, you will set clear targets and timescales and review their progress accordingly.

 

This role is available as full or part-time, offering you a permanent contract to provide you with stability all year round.

 

Here's what to expect: 

 

• provide bespoke support, based on assessed need, for learners to facilitate acquisition of appropriate non-subject specific study skills and strategies so that learners can take responsibility for their own learning.  

• set clear standards and expectations for your sessions. 

• provide learner-centred support and advice. 

• enable learners to identify and develop strategies which complement their individual learning styles and requirements e.g., multi-sensory memory techniques or mind mapping. 

• maintain and keep records, files and databases up to date, including session recordings, to provide monitoring information in line with ESFA, Ofsted and DSA regulations. 

• Network with other Support Connect Mentors and share best practice. 

• Work within Support Connect established procedures for monitoring information, assessment, information sharing, confidentiality, safeguarding and health and safety.  

 

This role will predominantly work alongside the DSA funding stream and you will also have opportunities to work within the ESFA funding stream, with apprentice learners.

Please note that this role is not a subject specific tutor role, nor should you act as advocates or counsellors within the sessions. All Learning Mentors are required to meet the requirements for Non-Medical Help (NMH) roles as outlined by the Department for Education which can be found here: https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1987/final-nmh-qualifications-matrix-july2023.pdf

 

Here's how your work can support learners:  

 

• clarifying course expectations. 

• practice a healthy work/life balance. 

• build their confidence in their academic ability. 

• access academic support and guidance 

• develop effective time management and organisation strategies. 

• acquire and develop reading and memory strategies.  

• practice and enhance communication skills through agreed strategies. 

• develop planning and writing strategies.  

• manage change and difficult emotions effectively. 

• devise coping strategies to manage challenging social situations. 

• develop social and communication skills. 

 

NOTE:  This list is not exhaustive but indicative.  

 

Within your role, here's what we also hope you are passionate about:

 

• Showing sensitivity and understanding towards the psychological impact of learning differences, autism spectrum conditions and other disabilities in learning environments and using this knowledge to tailor support appropriately. 

• Devising Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) with each learner and reviewing targets at agreed regular intervals to track progress on the impact of the support delivered. 

• Engaging in any research or preparation as necessary to suit the learning needs of the learner in order to provide bespoke support sessions. 

• Keeping accurate and up to date case notes and associated evidence and documentation in line with Support Connect procedures.

• Primarily working with learners remotely and online through the use of Microsoft Teams, with face to face support if needed. 

• Attending and engaging in peer learning and in-person training and CPD events. 

• Being a part of the Learning Support Team, contributing to the wider work of the team and attending team meetings as needed. 

• Working, at all times, in accordance with Support Connect policies, procedures and values.  

• Working, at all times, in accordance with the principles of the social model of disability with the aim of creating an inclusive learner experience for all. 

• Undertaking ongoing CPD (min 10 hours each year) in disability, access and inclusion and associated topics.  

• Reporting any safeguarding concerns in a timely way in line with Support Connect safeguarding procedures. 

• Maintaining confidentiality and discretion and complying with the terms of the Data Protection Act 2018.

 

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment.  The duties laid down in this job description may change, following a review and in consultation between the post holder and line manager. 

 

Can you demonstrate the following?

 

• Experience of working with and supporting people with learning differences in a FE/HE or apprenticeships setting.   

• In-depth understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion as set out in the Equality Act 2010. 

• Knowledge of the issues faced by people with specific learning difficulties, autism, other disabilities and mental health issues in learning (FE/HE/Apprenticeships) and the workplace. 

• CPD (min 10 hours per year). 

• Excellent communication, time management, organisational and record keeping skills. 

• Excellent IT skills and use of online meeting tools like MS Teams & Zoom.  

• Good knowledge of assistive technology, equipment and software.  

• The ability to work flexibly to support learners’ needs. 

• The ability to assess learner’s progress and amend Individual Learning Plans (ILP) to meet these needs.  

• The ability to understand the needs, objectives, and constraints of others.

 

How do you measure up?

 

Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent.  

 

Specific Learning Difficulties 

Have or be working towards Full Membership of one of the following professional bodies: ADSHE, PATOSS, BDA, The Dyslexia Guild for SpLD Study Skills, AMBDA, AMBDA-FE/HE.  

NOTE: for the right candidates support will be offered to achieve qualifications

 

Adult Autism 

A relevant degree/qualification with a substantial autism component and/or Comprehensive training in adult autism (if you do not hold a PGC or MA/MEd): (or be prepared to work towards) 

Six National Autistic Society (NAS) NMH bundle online training modules Or National Autistic Society (NAS) one-day face to face course in Autism and SPELL in Higher Education. (or be prepared to work towards) 

A recognised Teaching qualification. 

 

If you're passionate about this role but don't think you meet all of the criteria, don't be discouraged. Everyone has a different journey and we'd love to hear yours.

 

If you would like to be considered for this role, please email your current CV to recruitment@supportconnect.org.uk or drop us a line if you have any questions.

We look forward to hearing from you!