Freelance DSA Specialist Mentor

Assistive IT Solutions; Preston; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Assistive Solutions is seeking a Freelance Specialist Mentor to provide one-on-one mentoring for students facing mental health and/or autism-related challenges. Sessions are face-to-face in the Blackburn area, with flexible, student-centred approaches to support emotional wellbeing, organisation, and work-life balance.

You will develop individualised plans, establish trusted relationships, and record sessions for invoicing purposes, logging through the Assistive App and submitting monthly

Qualifications

• Membership of a DSA-approved professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, NCS (Accredited Register), HCPC).
• Autism-specific training such as NAS NMH modules or Optimum Training Course: Autism/ADHD in Higher Education.
• Experience providing 1:1 mentoring/support to individuals with mental health conditions or autism.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding in educational/clinical settings.
• Ability to build trust and establish a supportive, non-judgemental relationship with students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload and maintain records.
• Reliable, flexible, and able to work independently or with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one-on-one mentoring sessions tailored to each student’s emotional well-being, organisation, and study skills.
• Create individualised learning plans and strategies to help students overcome academic barriers.
• Log sessions and complete monthly summaries and invoicing in line with guidelines.

Skills

DSA-approved body membership

Autism training

1:1 mentoring

Confidentiality

Professional boundaries

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Independent working

Job description

Job Title: Freelance Specialist Mentor

Location: Face to Face Sessions within the Blackburn area

Salary: £45 per Hour - Invoicing is processed on a monthly basis

Job Type: Full and Part Time Positions Available, Freelancer / Self Employed Only

Assistive Solutions specialises in supporting individuals eligible for Disabled Students' Allowances within higher education.

We are a Social Enterprise that works with disabled people, providing specialist computer equipment, 1-1 teaching and have an in-house software development team.

Assistive Solutions are a Disability Confident Employer.

About the role:

As a Specialist Mentor, you will provide one-on-one tailored mentoring support for students experiencing mental health and/or autism spectrum-related challenges. Your role will be to help students navigate emotional and practical barriers to their academic success.

You will work closely with each student to understand their specific needs, offering support in emotional well-being, organisation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your sessions will be individualised, with a flexible approach to best support the student's.

Key Responsibilities:

Session Delivery:

• Facilitate personalised, one-on-one mentoring sessions with students, addressing both emotional difficulties (e.g., university stress, anxiety, mental health concerns) and practical support (e.g., organisation, study skills, work-life balance).
• Develop a supportive relationship with each student, starting with an initial session to identify their needs and goals. Create individualised learning plans and strategies to help students overcome challenges they face in their studies.

Administration and Communication:

• Utilise the Assistive App to log sessions and maintain proper records, ensuring completed signatures from both student and tutor.
• Provide monthly session summaries, including attendance and progress, for invoicing purposes that are in line with company guidelines.
• Monthly session summaries and invoicing to be submitted to our invoicing team by the last day of each month.
• Communicate when necessary, with the NMH admin for any queries or support needed.

About you:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Membership of a DSA-approved professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, NCS (Accredited Register), HCPC). (Please see DSA metrics to check)
• Autism-Specific Training: Completion of specialist adult autism training, such as: (The 6 National Autistic Society (NAS) Non-Medical Helper (NMH) modules OR The Optimum Training Course: Autism and ADHD in Higher Education.)
• Experience providing 1:1 mentoring or support to individuals with mental health conditions and/or autism spectrum conditions.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries, and safeguarding in an educational or clinical setting.
• Ability to build trust and establish a supportive, non-judgemental relationship with students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and maintain accurate records.
• Reliable, flexible, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues.

Beneficial Skills and Experience:

• Experience supporting students in higher education.
• Familiarity with Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) processes and NMH roles.
• Knowledge of assistive strategies and techniques to support organisation, stress management, and resilience.
• Experience working with neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD and autism.
• Training or experience in evidence-based approaches (e.g., ACT, CBT, solution-focused work).
• Awareness of inclusive practices and accessibility within education.

Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Tutor, Sessional Tutor, Learning and Retention Support, Mentor, Learning and Retention Assessor, Student Support Mentor, Learning Assistant, Learning Tutor, Learning Adviser, Educator, Learning Coach, Training Support Officer may also be considered for this role.