Post 16 SEND Independence Support Mentor
Location: Havering
Pay: £95 to £100 per day PAYE
Contract: Long term with temp to perm opportunity
Independence Support Mentor
We are looking for an Independence Support Mentor to join a specialist post-16 setting supporting young people with additional needs.
The young people are aged 16+ and have a range of needs, including autism, ADHD, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, and social and emotional needs.
The focus of the setting is preparing young people for adult life. This means that learning isn't limited to the classroom. Learners might be working on things like travelling independently, using public transport, budgeting, cooking, shopping, following routines, communicating with others or preparing for work and supported living.
Each young person has different needs and goals, so the support you provide will vary from learner to learner.
The role
As an Independence Support Mentor, you will support young people both in the setting and out in the community.
Your day could involve supporting a learner with a practical activity, accompanying someone on public transport, helping a young person manage a difficult situation, or encouraging them to have a go at something independently.
You will be responsible for:
- Supporting learners during lessons and practical activities
- Accompanying young people on community-based learning
- Helping learners develop everyday independence skills
- Supporting communication, decision making and problem solving
- Helping learners manage emotions and behaviour
- Building positive and consistent relationships with young people
- Working with teachers, therapists and other staff to support individual learners
The role isn't about doing everything for a young person. It's about providing the support they need while giving them the opportunity to do things for themselves.
Who we're looking for
This role would suit someone who is patient, calm and consistent, and who enjoys working with young people.
Experience of working with young people with SEND would be useful, but we're also open to people who have experience in education, care, youth work or similar support roles.
You don't need to have all the answers. What's important is that you're reliable, able to build good relationships and willing to understand each young person's needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
You'll need to be comfortable working both indoors and out in the community, and able to support young people in situations that may sometimes be challenging.
If this sounds like the kind of role you'd be interested in, please send your CV to elisha@psinclusion.co.uk or call 0203 011 4848 for a confidential discussion.