Jobs

Alternative Provision Pastoral Mentor
Grade 8 (£32,597 -  £36,363)
Permanent - Full Time - Term Time plus 3 weeks
Required to start September 2026
 
This is an exciting time to join The Woodlands as an Alternative Provision Mentor. The Mentor will be part of the team that is responsible for monitoring the welfare of young people whilst at The Woodlands attending Alternative Provision. They will work closely with an identified number of children, young people, and Alternative Providers to ensure individual issues can be addressed by identification and dissemination of appropriate strategies with involvement from other agencies as appropriate. They will also work closely with parents and carers.

The post holders will be responsible for identifying the individual needs of children and young people in terms of personal and social developments and establishing outcome-based plans which are reviewed on an ongoing basis with The Woodlands, Parents/Carers and Alternative Placements. The post holders will be responsible for overseeing students whilst on placement and work within an identified cluster of Alternative Providers within County Durham. The post holders will need a full UK driving licence and access to a car (business insurance will be required and business milage can be claimed).

The post holders will be responsible for drawing up tailored integration plans for individuals who are making a transition into a longer-term educational placement and will be actively involved in delivery and evaluation where appropriate or to support in transition to different Alternative Providers.

Mentors will also be responsible for supporting the transition of young people into post 16 placements to minimise the likelihood of disruption.

Mentors may also be responsible for supporting programmes within The Woodlands that promote the development of independent living skills ready for adulthood.
They will be required to actively promote and formally monitor the young people’s participation in learning as evidenced by attendance, behaviour and feedback from colleagues.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS POST:

• Providing direct personal support to a nominated group of young people working with them both in a group and individual situations whilst accessing alternative provision.
• Working closely with parents/carers and Alternative Providers to promote the education of their child and to ensure the needs of parents /carers are identified and steps are taken to address any issues.
• Assessing the emotional well- being and motivation levels of young people on the programme together with levels of participation as evidenced by attendance, progress and regular attitudinal review.
• Making referrals to First Contact and facilitating multi-agency meetings to ensure the effective intervention of partner organisations.
• Co-ordinating the daily placements of young people on Alternative Provision including supporting young people who have been removed from placements due to behavioural issues.
• Working collaboratively with teaching/placement staff to implement strategies to encourage participation and engagement in learning
• Applying a range of strategies including restorative approaches to broker positive relationships with both adults and children across the programme
• Liaising with the parents/carers/placements and young person to identify their longer term educational placement.
• Liaising with schools, placements, parents/carers and the young person to establish and deliver a transition plan where identified
• Providing opportunities for young people to further develop self-management and relationship skills with peers and adults
• Contributing to the delivery of the life-skills curriculum to small groups of young people
• Supporting and monitoring of the young people undertaking vocational experiences including assessing development in employability skills, knowledge and self-presentation
• Contributing to the planning and delivery of post 16 transition
• Developing extra-curricular opportunities for children and young people that support the development of personal and social skills
• Organisation of parent/carer information and progress sessions
• Providing information for the completion of performance reports for identified young people
• Monitoring student attendance
• Undertaking invigilator, reader, scribe responsibilities during examinations
• Assisting with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
• Accompanying teaching/placement staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required.
• The post holder will be required to travel to varying placements, therefore will need access to a car and have business insurance 

Please email applications to: u1100.admin@durhamlearning.net
 
This post is not open to job share.
 
Term time only plus three additional weeks’ pay is calculated on the basis of the following:
• Number of ‘teaching’ weeks – 38 weeks; plus
• Public (bank) holidays – 1.6 weeks (8 days); plus
• Three additional weeks, inclusive of CPD – 3 weeks; plus
• Individual leave entitlement - 5.4 weeks (27 days) or 6.4 weeks (32 days)
Individual leave entitlement is calculated on the length of continuous service. Employees with less than 5 years’ service will receive 27 days annual leave. Employees with more than 5 years’ service will receive 32 days annual leave. For example:

Calculation for employees with less than 5 years’ service:
41 weeks (term time plus 3) + 27 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 48 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments

Calculation for employees with more than 5 years’ service:
41 weeks (term time plus 3) + 32 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 49 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments
 
The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
 
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and, if successful, you will need to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure.
 
As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.
 
Closing date for applications is Sunday 31st May
Interview date: TBC
 
The Woodlands
Broom Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8AN
 
Tel: 01740 656040
Email: u1100.admin@durhamlearning.net

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £32,597 - £36,363

Location: Ferryhill, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant