Pastoral Welfare Mentor (Term Time Only + 4 weeks)

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Pastoral Welfare Mentor (Term Time Only + 4 weeks)

Application Deadline: 6 March 2025

Department: Student Support

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Middleton

Compensation: £28,630 per annum, i.e £24,753 pro rata per annum

Description

To improve the life outcomes for learners by providing Early Help on a wide range of pastoral and welfare, supporting learners and their families to overcome the barriers to participating in education.

To be part of the Safeguarding and Welfare team through the Hub providing front line and early help support for vulnerable learners with poor mental health, in crisis or in need of critical support and support to learners.

To identify and monitor vulnerable and 'at risk' learners under remit and work closely with cross college teams to ensure learners are retained by the college.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide Early Help support as soon as problems emerge, supporting with pastoral, social, welfare, wellbeing and health care to identify and remove barriers to accessing learning.
• Developing a positive and supportive connection with learners, create an atmosphere of trust and support, prioritising the safeguarding and wellbeing of all students.
• To lead on Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children (LAC) in partnership with Social Services including the attendance at LAC reviews.
• Hold a specific caseload of learners who have had social care involvement and are care experienced e.g. kinship care.
• Attend meetings where appropriate to support learners and families to overcome barriers to education.
• To support the delivery of the college's Mental Health Strategy including providing first point of contact for learners experiencing poor mental health and release the vision to become a mentally healthy college.
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults at the college and refer/signpost to external agencies where appropriate.
• Support transition of learners liaising with secondary schools, Positive Steps to ensure support needs are identified and met early.
• To work closely with curriculum teams to support at risk and vulnerable learners by attending Support planning meetings, Student improvement meetings and Formal hearings where relevant.
• Assist in enrolment and induction to ensure learners are aware of support available.
• Maintain accurate records of interventions, ensuring learners vulnerabilities and support needs are recorded and highlighted.
• To carry out transition and pastoral reviews for 'at risk' and vulnerable learners under remit and record support, progress and outcomes on the learners ILP.
• To conduct home visits where there is an attendance/welfare/safety concern.
• To build and maintain supportive relationships to assist in the personal and social development and providing support and guidance through the HUB.
• To undertake training as required for the role.
• Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications / Special Work Conditions

Essential Criteria

Good literacy and numeracy skills (minimum level 2

Mental health first Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training

How Identified: Application / Interview

Desirable Criteria

Emergency First Aid qualification or a willingness to obtain it.

Full UK driving Licence and access to a vehicle

How Identified: Application / Interview

Experience

Essential Criteria

Experience of working with young people in an educational environment

Experience of working with young people in a pastoral and wellbeing setting

Experience of dealing with safeguarding and mental health concerns

To have empathy with young people, approachable but with the confidence to assert authority when required.

Experience of effective team working and promoting relationships between staff, students and the community

Experience of working under pressure, including handling difficult situations on your own and de-escalating them.

Experience of working with Data and computers including excel and college systems

Experience of working in a busy environment

Experience of working with outside agencies such as safeguarding professional, schools, social workers, Youth JusticeTeam, Positive Steps, Parents and Key Workers

How Identified: Application / Interview

Desirable Criteria

An understanding of Equality and Diversity issues

Experience of dealing with people at different levels across the organisation

How Identified: Application / Interview

Specialist Knowledge

Essential Criteria

Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection

Specific knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by young people that impact on their wellbeing, safety and mental health

Good understanding of mental health issues and how they impact on learners

Committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.

Able to interact positively with young people and adults.

Committed to the principles of equality and diversity

Ability to communicate, negotiate and work effectively with internal and external partners.

Ability to work unsupervised and manager own time and priorities; be well organized and self-motivated.

To have flexibility and willing to try out new ideas.

Ability to keep and evaluate records and statistical data.

How Identified: Application / Interview

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of SEN

IT Skills

Essential Criteria

Basic know of Microsoft Office Programs

Understanding of college systems

How Identified: Application / Interview

Desirable Criteria

Ability to analyse and present information in a variety of forms

How Identified: Application / Interview