Inclusion Mentor

Sunderland College; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance 35-48 days

Family leave & flexible working

LGPS or Teacher Pensions

MyLifestyle discounts

Dental, eye care & health cash plans

Wellbeing support hub

Free parking

Job summary

Sunderland College is seeking an Inclusion Mentor to support learners with SEND at City Campus, Sunderland. The role focuses on developing personalised strategies and collaborating with curriculum teams to enable students to overcome barriers and reach their potential.

Part-time, term-time post offering 20 hours per week across 35 weeks, permanent contract, salary £25,949 per annum pro rata. You will assess needs, implement support plans, and signpost to additional resources, with extensive

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting individuals with SEND or additional learning needs.
• Knowledge of Educational Health Care Plans and assessment and support plans.
• Awareness of responsibilities under SEND Code of Practice and the Equality Act.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• To provide mentor support to students with learning difficulties and or disabilities, emotional and behaviour needs who are on mainstream or discrete College courses to integrate into the College environment.
• To assist in the implementation of detailed assessments and monitoring and review of support strategies.
• To devise and implement support strategies with senior departmental staff and other college professionals around individual students and groups to overcome their barriers to learning.
• To identify possible sources of problems at early stage and to communicate this to teaching staff and departmental management.

Skills

SEND support

Behaviour support

Educational Health Care Plans

Communication skills

Education

NVQ level 2 or equivalent

GCSE Maths and English

Job description

Inclusion Mentor

City & Hartlepool

Location: Sunderland

Salary: £25,949 per annum pro rata

Post Type: Part Time Term Time

Hours per Week: 20

Weeks per Year: 35

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 19 October 2026

Reference: 0554-26-R

About The College

Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students. The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provides our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognise that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

About The Candidate

His position offers a genuine opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference in students’ lives. By supporting learners with special educational needs (SEND), you help break down barriers, build confidence, and empower each individual to reach their full potential. Your work creates an inclusive, supportive environment where every student feels valued and capable, making a lasting impact not only on their education but on their future and sense of belonging in the world.

About The Role

In this role, you’ll be a key collaborator, working closely with the curriculum teams within our City Campus along with student support services to develop personalised strategies that will empower students with SEND to overcome obstacles and thrive within our College community. Your creativity and dedication will play a vital role in continuously improving our provision and realising our ambitious vision for excellence.

Role Responsibilities

• To provide mentor support to students with learning difficulties and or disabilities, emotional and behaviour needs who are on mainstream or discrete College courses to integrate into the College environment.
• To assist in the implementation of detailed assessments and monitoring and review of support strategies.
• To devise and implement support strategies with senior departmental staff and other college professionals around individual students and groups to overcome their barriers to learning.
• To identify possible sources of problems at early stage and to communicate this to teaching staff and departmental management.

Qualifications

• Relevant care, learning support, or youth qualification, ideally at least at NVQ level 2 (or equivalent).
• GCSE Maths and English.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience of supporting individuals with SEND or additional learning needs.
• Knowledge of Educational Health Care Plans and assessment and support plans.
• Awareness of responsibilities under SEND Code of Practice and the Equality Act.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.

We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.

As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Please contact [e-mail] should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.