Learning Mentor (Emotionally Based School Absence)

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Pension Scheme

Annual Leave 28+ days

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a dedicated practitioner to support children experiencing emotionally based school absence (EBSA) within the Education, Schools and Inclusion Service. You will mentor families, schools and partner agencies to reduce barriers to attendance and boost resilience through targeted interventions.

You will manage a caseload, support reintegration into school and contribute to reports and learning plans, while working with a multidisciplinary team in a hybrid-working

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, anxiety-related school absence, SEND and/or autism within educational settings.
• Strong understanding of child development, barriers to learning, inclusive practice, SEND processes and the impact of emotional wellbeing on educational engagement and attendance.
• Experience of planning and delivering effective one-to-one and small-group interventions that make a positive difference to outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and mentoring skills, with the ability to engage children, families, schools and partner agencies effectively.
• Strong organisational, assessment and case management skills, including experience of monitoring progress, maintaining records and producing reports.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively, coaching and supporting others to develop effective practice whilst contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous development, supported by good ICT, literacy and numeracy skills, achievement of Higher Level Teaching Assistant Standards
• Access to a vehicle (or mobility support) with a valid driving licence and appropriate insurance.

Responsibilities

• Build positive partnerships with parents, carers, schools, families and professionals to support children and young people experiencing emotionally based school absence.
• Develop trusting and empathetic relationships with children and young people, acting as a role model and helping them build confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
• Deliver high-quality mentoring, targeted interventions and personalised support to help children overcome barriers to learning and improve engagement with education.
• Support children and young people with reintegration into school, education settings or alternative provision where appropriate.
• Manage a caseload of children and young people, providing ongoing support, monitoring progress and reviewing outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with schools and multi-agency partners to address social, emotional and mental health needs and promote inclusion.
• Contribute to assessment, planning and review processes by producing reports, recommending strategies and supporting individual learning plans.
• Design and deliver one-to-one and small-group learning activities and interventions tailored to individual needs.
• Provide advice, training, modelling and support to schools and education providers to promote effective practice.
• Develop resources, maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring the quality and impact of interventions and support

Skills

Mentoring

Interventions

Relationship-building

Communication

Case management

Safeguarding

Driving licence

Education

Higher Level Teaching Assistant Standards

Job description

The Education, Schools and Inclusion Service is dedicated to ensuring that every child and young person can access education, achieve their potential and feel connected to their learning community. As part of the team supporting children experiencing Emotionally Based School Absence (EBSA), you will work closely with families, schools and partner agencies to reduce barriers to attendance and engagement. Through mentoring, intervention and collaborative working, the team helps children and young people build confidence, resilience and the skills they need to successfully participate in education and achieve positive outcomes. Be the difference between absence and achievement.

Key Responsibilities

• Build positive partnerships with parents, carers, schools, families and professionals to support children and young people experiencing emotionally based school absence.
• Develop trusting and empathetic relationships with children and young people, acting as a role model and helping them build confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
• Deliver high-quality mentoring, targeted interventions and personalised support to help children overcome barriers to learning and improve engagement with education.
• Support children and young people with reintegration into school, education settings or alternative provision where appropriate.
• Manage a caseload of children and young people, providing ongoing support, monitoring progress and reviewing outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with schools and multi-agency partners to address social, emotional and mental health needs and promote inclusion.
• Contribute to assessment, planning and review processes by producing reports, recommending strategies and supporting individual learning plans.
• Design and deliver one-to-one and small-group learning activities and interventions tailored to individual needs.
• Provide advice, training, modelling and support to schools and education providers to promote effective practice.
• Develop resources, maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring the quality and impact of interventions and support

Supporting attendance. Building resilience. Changing futures.

Experience and Skills

• Experience of supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, anxiety-related school absence, SEND and/or autism within educational settings.
• Strong understanding of child development, barriers to learning, inclusive practice, SEND processes and the impact of emotional wellbeing on educational engagement and attendance.
• Experience of planning and delivering effective one-to-one and small-group interventions that make a positive difference to outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and mentoring skills, with the ability to engage children, families, schools and partner agencies effectively.
• Strong organisational, assessment and case management skills, including experience of monitoring progress, maintaining records and producing reports.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively, coaching and supporting others to develop effective practice whilst contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous development, supported by good ICT, literacy and numeracy skills, achievement of Higher Level Teaching Assistant Standards
• Access to a vehicle (or mobility support) with a valid driving licence and appropriate insurance.

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service.