Engagement Mentor

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Engagement Mentor (Outreach) to work for the Children's Support Service, which is a highly regarded Alternative Provision, based in the South of Essex.This post will be mobile across schools in the South of Essex, and will be term time only.

The post will make up part of an Outreach Team, to support the engagement of pupils in mainstream schools, who face a diverse range of barriers to education, and who have been identified as being at risk of permanent exclusion. The work will involve planning and delivering 1:1 or small group interventions to address the needs of pupils, and to support them in their mainstream school. Some work may also involve supporting the reintegration of pupils who move from CSS, back to mainstream schools.

2 Year Fixed term

37 hours per week (Mon to Thur 8:30 - 4:30, Fri 8:30 - 4:00), Term Time plus 5 inset days

Scale 7 Point 19 (Range 19-24) Actual Salary = £28,111 including Outer Fringe Allowance

At Children's Support Service you won't just be another member of staff - you'll be a vital part of a passionate team dedicated to transforming the lives of children who need us most. Our children face barriers to learning, and it's our mission to help them overcome these challenges and truly "be the best they can be."

Working with us means being part of a close-knit, supportive community where every voice is heard and every contribution is valued. We celebrate our successes together, support each other through challenges, and genuinely care about the wellbeing of our team.

The role includes:

Supporting students with their behaviour for learning - building relationships, resilience, organisation, self-regulation, social skills, etc…
Assessing pupil need
Planning and delivery of targeted interventions
Liaising with school staff; providing advice and guidance
Some responsibility for Safeguarding issues, including Child Protection
Implementing strategies to maximise attendance
Working with other agencies, including the Local Authority, School Inclusion Partners and the Education Access Team

The post will suit someone with either Primary or Secondary experience, who has comprehensive safeguarding knowledge, and who can identify barriers to education and provide appropriate support.

We value the wellbeing of our staff and offer a supportive, well-resourced learning environment with a range of professional development opportunities.

We are also proud to be a reflective Trauma Perceived Practice school.

This means that you will:

Receive a high level of support from dedicated, experienced and skilled colleagues
Work in a diverse and enjoyable setting
Achieve a healthy work/life balance
Make a meaningful difference to the lives of children

You should be someone who:

Shows compassion and kindness to all pupils
Builds positive connections with pupils, and promote a sense of belonging
Instils hope and aspiration
Is hardworking
Preferably has previous experience of working with vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils
Has knowledge of the barriers to education and can deliver 1:1 intervention programmes
Has GCSE standard, or equivalent, of Maths and English
Is mobile with use of a car

Everything we do is guided by three powerful principles:

Respect- We value every individual's unique journey and treat everyone with dignity and kindness
Resilience- We help our pupils bounce back from setbacks and never give up
Aspiration- We hold high expectations and believe in the potential of every child and every team member

This isn't your typical school environment. You'll work with pupils who face significant challenges - from SEND to social, emotional and mental health needs. Every breakthrough, every smile, every moment of progress is a victory you'll have helped to achieve. You'll see the direct impact of your work, and you'll go home knowing you've made a genuine difference.

If you're looking for more than just a job - if you want a role where you'll be challenged, supported, valued and inspired - Children's Support Service is the place for you. Come and be part of something special. Come and help our pupils be the best they can be.

Start date: September 2026

Visits are encouraged - please email HR.Team@css-essex.co.uk or telephone CSS Wickford on 01268 552482 to arrange a visit.

Please note that C.V.s are not accepted as part of applications.

Information about the School:

The Children's Support Service is a short stay alternative provision in Essex. We educate and support children from KS1 - KS4 as well as providing an outreach service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area. Our schools are based in Basildon (secondary) and Wickford (primary and secondary).

Our Medical Education Team work across South and West Essex and focus on not only educating children and young people but crucially reintegrating our students back into their mainstream school.

We now offer, in partnership with Essex Local Authority Education Access Team, an education and reintegration programme for students who have been permanently excluded from any part of Essex back to their local mainstream school.

Most of our students are referred to us due to challenges they may have faced in school; many come with additional needs and require academic, emotional and social support. We pride ourselves on overcoming these challenges and ensuring every student is successful.

We offer a wide range of subjects and match a mainstream setting through our core curriculum offer. At the same time, as a 'needs -led' provision we offer extensive enrichment opportunities to our students.

We collaborate with schools and professionals who need our support, and aim to reintegrate students back into mainstream education or prepare them for other lifelong learning opportunities.

Our staff create positive, safe, caring and supportive learning environments, helping to inspire every child to 'be the best they can be.'

CSS staff benefit from flexible working arrangements, our subscription to an Employee Assistance Programme, which provides mental health and well-being support services for all staff, including 24/7 access to advice, support and counselling for our whole team.

Please note that car insurance including "business use" is required.

Information about the School

The Children’s Support Service is a short stay alternative provision in Essex. We educate and support children from KS1 - KS4 as well as providing an outreach service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area. Our schools are based in Basildon (secondary) and Wickford (primary and secondary).