Learning Support Mentor

Randstad Education; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Dedicated local consultant

Flexible schedule

Potential permanent opportunities

Job summary

Randstad Education in Cambridge and surrounding areas seeks a compassionate SEN Learning Support Mentor to help pupils with a range of needs, including ASC and SEMH. Work options include day-to-day cover or longer fixed-term placements to suit your availability.

You will support classrooms, assist with notes, reading, and therapy activities under supervision, maintain records, promote independence, and uphold safeguarding with DBS checks.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN), complex health needs, or challenging behaviour (in education, residential care, youth work, or support settings).
• A patient, calm, and empathetic nature with strong communication and active listening skills.
• The resilience and confidence to handle emotionally challenging or complex situations professionally.
• Training in physical intervention/de-escalation (e.g., Team-Teach) is advantageous, though not essential.
• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

Responsibilities

• Classroom & Academic Support: Collaborate with lecturing staff and assessors to support students across various learning environments. Assist with note-taking, reading out materials, word processing, defining language, using enabling technologies, and adapting class resources (e.g., modifying carrier language or enlarging text).
• Promoting Independence: Empower students to achieve their personalised EHCP targets and champion learning support, inclusion, and student independence.
• Out-of-Classroom Support: Provide support outside formal lessons-including during break times, lunches, pre-arranged college trips, and off-campus study program delivery.
• Therapy & Wellbeing Support: Help deliver therapy interventions (such as Speech and Language Therapy or Physiotherapy) under the guidance of appropriate professionals. Assist colleagues in identifying student support or safeguarding needs.
• Record Keeping & Reviews: Maintain daily records on Pro-Monitor reflecting support given, track attendance, contribute to annual review meetings, and participate in team focus sessions.

Job description

SEN Learning Support Mentor - Cambridge & Surrounding Areas

Are you a compassionate, resilient individual looking to make a meaningful difference for pupils with special educational needs? Whether you are seeking the complete freedom and flexibility of day-to-day supply cover, or looking for the stability and routine of a long-term classroom placement, we have rewarding opportunities tailored directly to your availability.

We are currently partnering with a welcoming network of Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools, specialist provisions, and alternative academies in and around Cambridge. We are experiencing high demand for adaptable, empathetic Learning Support Mentors to support children and young people with a range of complex needs-including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), and speech and language communication needs.

Whether you are an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, a psychology graduate looking for hands-on experience, or someone with a background in care, youth work, or sports coaching, we can help you find your ideal role.

Choose Your Ideal Way of Working:

• Day-to-Day Cover: Enjoy total control over your schedule. Choose the days you want to work to fit around family life, studies, or personal projects. It is a fantastic way to gain broad experience across different specialist provisions and age groups with complete flexibility.

• Long-Term Opportunities: If you prefer consistency, we offer fixed-term placements spanning a term or a full academic year. This allows you to build strong, trusting bonds with specific pupils, support their ongoing developmental goals, and become a valued part of a school community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Classroom & Academic Support: Collaborate with lecturing staff and assessors to support students across various learning environments. Assist with note-taking, reading out materials, word processing, defining language, using enabling technologies, and adapting class resources (e.g., modifying carrier language or enlarging text).

• Promoting Independence: Empower students to achieve their personalised EHCP targets and champion learning support, inclusion, and student independence.

• Out-of-Classroom Support: Provide support outside formal lessons-including during break times, lunches, pre-arranged college trips, and off-campus study program delivery.

• Therapy & Wellbeing Support: Help deliver therapy interventions (such as Speech and Language Therapy or Physiotherapy) under the guidance of appropriate professionals. Assist colleagues in identifying student support or safeguarding needs.

• Record Keeping & Reviews: Maintain daily records on Pro-Monitor reflecting support given, track attendance, contribute to annual review meetings, and participate in team focus sessions.

What We Look For:

• Previous experience supporting individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN), complex health needs, or challenging behaviour (in education, residential care, youth work, or support settings).

• A patient, calm, and empathetic nature with strong communication and active listening skills.

• The resilience and confidence to handle emotionally challenging or complex situations professionally.

• Training in physical intervention/de-escalation (e.g., Team-Teach) is advantageous, though not essential.

• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

Benefits of Working With Us:

• Competitive rates of pay, processed weekly and reflective of your role and experience level.

• A dedicated local consultant with deep knowledge of the SEN and specialist education sector in Cambridge.

• Complete flexibility to set and update your availability on your terms.

• Exposure to top specialist schools, which frequently leads to direct, permanent job offers.

Ready to make a real impact in special education in Cambridge?

Take control of your working week today.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.