Job Description
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Student Support Mentor
Are you passionate about promoting education, wellbeing, independence, and quality of life for young people? Do you have a keen interest in safeguarding? Do you want to make a meaningful impact in your professional life? Are you looking for a flexible working pattern?
We are Children's Support Service, and our core purpose is recognising every young person as an individual and re-engaging them with education.
We specialise in bespoke education and support packages in the following areas:
- Students who have been permanently excluded or are at risk of permanent exclusion (Key Stage 1- Key Stage 4).
- Students with an EHCP (Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 only).
- Students with medical requirements via our expert medical education teams operating across South and West Essex.
Your Role: As our very first Student Mentor, you'll play a vital role in re-engaging our students with education and focusing on positive and healthy life choices. You'll understand the key challenges young people face in the modern world and will have previous experience of working with young people. You value education and are comfortable in working both on and away from our school sites and local schools. You will be creative and innovative in looking for methods of engaging students in a 1:1 and small group setting. You will be prepared to be the voice of our young people, representing their views and opinions to ensure we secure the very best outcomes both educationally and personally. You will be passionate about and committed to safeguarding young people.
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a crucial role in improving the life chances of young people across South Essex.
Key Responsibilities:
Mentoring young people to support them in re-engaging with education.
Working in 1:1 or small group environments on and off-site.
Liaising with our team, mainstream schools and external agencies to support students.
Producing reports and maintaining accurate student records.
Operating as a member of our safeguarding team.
What We're Looking For:
A future colleague who:
- Will connect with our ethos and values.
- Has a passion for engaging young people with education and healthy life choices.
- Is confident and will have courageous conversations with a range of stakeholders.
- Can listen first and talk second: strong communication skills are essential.
- Is IT literate and willing to learn about school information systems if they have not worked in a school environment before.
- Can manage their own diary effectively and has access to their own vehicle with a full, clean driving license.
You will have experience of working for a charity, in a mainstream setting, in alternative provision or have volunteered with young people. What's most important to us is the desire to make a difference in the lives of our young people.
Part-time, job-share applications are also welcome.
Our service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and full employment checks, good references and medical clearance.
Visits to the centre are encouraged. Please contact 01268 552482 or email HR.Team@css-essex.co.uk to arrange a visit.
Information about the School
The Children’s Support Service is a short stay provision (PRU) in Essex. We have two main centres covering KS2-4 (in Wickford and Basildon) as well as an Outreach Service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area, with bases in Basildon and Harlow.
Most of our students are referred to us due to difficulties they have faced in school; many come with additional needs and require academic, emotional and social support.
We offer a wide range of subjects, including the core curriculum, as well as enhanced activities to provide an enriched learning experience. 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 achieve their full potential.
CSS staff benefit from our subscription to the "Education Support Partnership", 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.