Mentor with SEN experience - South London

EK Outreach Services are looking to appoint a mentor with Autism/Down Syndrome experience to work with one of our students in Sutton (South London).

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 5-25.

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 of an Outreach Mentor are as follows:

• To build a rapport with the student

• 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 assisting 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 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, so you will be joining a very experienced team.

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 successful candidates will be:

• highly motivated to achieve the highest possible teaching outcomes for our 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 learn while working

• competent in the use of technology, with a willingness to use this in your teaching

• 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.

We are looking for someone available to work during the school hours Monday to Friday.

Salary is based on hours and experience.

We are looking for Mentors willing to work in South London.

Immediate start.

All posts are subject to an enhanced police Disclosure check and positive references.