Lead Outreach Mentor

EK Outreach Services, provides Educational Services to children and young people in their home, our Outreach Centre or in other settings, including schools.  Our vision is to find and nurture each young person’s unique abilities and interests, using a range of all our skills and facilities to create a bespoke learning package.

Our service specialises in educational support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including those with mental health issues, behaviour issues or those that have been in the youth justice system. We have experience in delivering educational packages, including pre-entry, entry level, GCSE and up to A Levels, while supporting social development and mental well-being. Working with children aged 11-25.  

Our staff are trained in strategies to support and build relationships with children and young people to ensure engagement in our services. Many of our children and young people are currently out of education, they may be hard to reach, or on the autistic spectrum. They may have communication challenges or present with challenging behaviours. We have staff to cater for all needs. We work closely with our partners, Edith Kay Independent School and Work Skills Learning, and many local authorities. 

The responsibilities below are the responsibilities of our Outreach Mentors, this would also be asked of our Lead Mentor:

• To build a rapport with the staff and students

• Develop mutual trust and respect

• Help the mentee solve his/her problems

• Focus on the mentee’s development targets

• To support programmes of work as agreed between all parties.

• Where appropriate, preparing and organising some work programmes.

• To contribute to the management, well-being and progress of the student.

• To contribute to daily records, recording work undertaken and progress made.

• To contribute to reports as required.

• To attend review meetings for the student.

• To be able to share existing skills and be open to training to gain additional skills.

• To work in partnership with EK Outreach Coordinator to find the appropriate accredited outcomes for the student.

• To attend relevant training sessions and network meetings.

Support work is demanding and intensive and mentors will be expected to have had some experience of working/dealing with SEND or difficult students in some capacity. EK Outreach Services offer on-going training to all staff, and we are proud of the high quality of all of our staff.

Mentors are expected to work closely with other staff involved with the student, and an ability to work flexibly and creatively is essential.  All staff must be able to work independently as EK Outreach is based in a variety of settings.

Our Lead Mentor would also be responsible for:

• The management wellbeing and progress of all their staff

• Training and guiding mentors to help progress their skills or develop them.

• Being on hand for help and advice to the mentoring team

• Understanding a student’s needs and help mentors to do the same, including helping to create programs that are specific and helpful to the students.

• Attending leadership meetings

• Attending meetings to support other mentors re: annual review, 6 weekly reviews etc if needed.

• Working in partnership with EK Outreach Coordinators to find the appropriate outcomes for the student.

• Attend all relevant training sessions and network meetings.

Our successful candidate will be:

• Highly motivated to achieve the highest possible outcomes for our staff and pupils in a nurturing and pleasant environment.

• Empathetic and interested in mental health, behaviour and social and emotional needs of young people,

• Patient, calm and composed in nature

• Willing and motivated to consistently develop and progress their own learning

• Competent in the use of technology, with a willingness to use this.

• An excellent communicator.

We particularly value applicants who can demonstrate a real passion for working with young people with special needs, disabilities and mental health issues and would also encourage applicants with a wide range of experiences for this incredibly unique post.

Our hours are flexible, and can be both full or part time.

Salary is based on hours and experience

We are looking for Mentors willing to work in North London and/ or Hertfordshire