SEMH Learning Mentor

Hill View School; Martock; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Paid lunches

Staff wellbeing

CPD training

Flexible working

Job summary

Hill View School, a specialist SEMH school, is seeking a Learning Mentor to work 1:1 with pupils, guiding behaviour and supporting trauma-informed practice.

You will be a relatable role model, bringing outside passions into the school to enrich learning and help learners develop resilience, communication, and life skills in a safe, nurturing environment.

The role offers a stable contract, rewarding career progression, and access to training, with a 32.5 hour week during term time plus INSET days.

Qualifications

• Excellent emotional resilience and the ability to maintain a calm, positive, and professional demeanour in highly challenging situations.
• Genuine empathy and a non-judgemental attitude, with the ability to see the child behind the behaviour.
• The agility to build authentic, highly resilient connections across a diverse age range (5-16), getting on their level to act as a trusted confidant.

Responsibilities

• Inspiring and motivating learners to achieve their goals, fostering confidence and resilience.
• Working alongside learners in the classroom, during hands-on/off-site activities, and providing 1:1 support during moments of dysregulation.
• Actively contributing to a therapeutic learning environment, using co-regulation and de-escalation strategies (such as our Bounce Approach) to support learners in distress.
• Helping young people develop essential life skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
• Embodying and actively modelling our core school values in every interaction: We Stay Safe, We Are Respectful, We Learn More.
• Working closely with the class team, therapists, and parent carers to ensure a consistent, shared approach to each learner's progress.

Skills

Emotional resilience

Empathy

Relationship building

Trauma-informed approach

Safeguarding

Job description

SEMH Learning Mentor

"Be the best you. Build the best us."

Inspire, Guide, and Transform Lives at Hill View School

Hill View School is a specialist school for learners with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are seeking a dedicated, relatable, and dynamic Learning Mentor to join our trauma-informed team on a 1-1 basis.

This role is not your traditional classroom support position. It is a challenging, demanding, and incredibly rewarding role that requires a unique set of skills. We are looking for individuals who can act as positive role models, connect with young people on their level, and help them overcome significant barriers to achieve their full potential.

About the Role at Hill View:

Our school is built on "The Hill View Way," a therapeutic and relational approach where we understand that all behaviour is a form of communication, often signalling an unmet need.

As a Learning Mentor, you will be a vital part of creating a safe, predictable, and nurturing environment. Moving beyond traditional academic support, you will be an active, dynamic partner in our young people's daily lives. We actively encourage our Learning Mentors to bring their outside passions into the school, whether that's mechanics, coding, tabletop gaming, or sports, to enrich our wider curriculum and engage hard-to-reach learners. Whether you are supporting them through an ambitious lesson, guiding them through dynamic off-site activities, or acting as an anchor during a moment of crisis, your primary tool will be the trusting relationship you build with them. In return for your resilience and dedication, you will experience a career that is as profoundly rewarding as it is challenging. There is no greater feeling than watching a young person finally break through a barrier, knowing that your unwavering support, patience, and authentic care were the direct catalyst for their success.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Inspiring and motivating learners to achieve their goals, fostering confidence and resilience.
• Working alongside learners in the classroom, during hands-on/off-site activities, and providing 1:1 support during moments of dysregulation.
• Actively contributing to a therapeutic learning environment, using co-regulation and de-escalation strategies (such as our "Bounce Approach") to support learners in distress.
• Helping young people develop essential life skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
• Embodying and actively modelling our core school values in every interaction: We Stay Safe, We Are Respectful, We Learn More.
• Working closely with the class team, therapists, and parent carers to ensure a consistent, shared approach to each learner's progress.

About You (Ideal Candidate Profile):

You might have a background in youth work, sports coaching, outreach, or pastoral care—or you might simply have a natural ability to build meaningful connections with young people. We are looking for individuals who possess:

• Exceptional emotional and physical resilience and the ability to maintain a calm, positive, and professional demeanour in highly challenging situations.
• Genuine empathy and a non-judgemental attitude, with the ability to see the child behind the behaviour.
• The agility to build authentic, highly resilient connections across a diverse age range (5-16), getting on their level to act as a trusted confidant. Whether you're bonding over a love of mechanics, strategising in the latest video game, or playing a quick game of 6-a-side, we want you to use your authentic interests to break down barriers.
• A strong belief in a trauma-informed, relational, and restorative approach to education.
• An unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children.

Why Join Our Team?

Working in an SEMH environment is demanding. We believe that to support our most vulnerable learners, our staff need absolute stability and peace of mind, something daily agency supply roles simply cannot offer.

At Hill View School, we offer a secure, direct contract with unparalleled benefits designed to help you be the best you:

• Unlike agency roles where you go unpaid during school closures, your salary is distributed evenly across 12 monthly payments. You are fully paid during the 13 weeks of school holidays.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). We offer a massive employer contribution rate of 19%, plus a wide range of benefits and discounts which can be accessed through a Blue Light card.
• Comprehensive occupational sick pay, access to PAM Wellness, access to gym classes, and a dedicated Staff Wellbeing Charter.
• We invest in your growth at every stage of your career. This includes comprehensive training in de-escalation (CPI) and our therapeutic "Bounce Approach", alongside weekly CPD via our PEAK programme to build your specialist skills.
• We support your work-life balance and are open to exploring suitable flexible working arrangements. We provide a highly supportive environment where we prioritise respect, equality, diversity, and well-being.
• Collaboration and generosity are at the heart of our team. You will be supported by a structured induction programme, a dedicated staff buddy, and a leadership team committed to managing workload. Plus, enjoy paid lunches and free tea and coffee!

The Details:

Salary:£18,943

Hours: 32.5 Hours per week, Term time plus INSET days (8:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday)

Start Date: ASAP

Closing Date:Sunday 18th October 2026 at midnight

Shortlisting:w/c 19th October 2026

Interview Date:w/c 19th October 2026

We are eager to welcome new members to our team who understand both the challenges and the immense rewards of this work.

Please note: This position is subject to satisfactory references and a comprehensive background check. The closing date is subject to change, dependent on the number of applications received.

Hill View School is part of The Oak Partnership Trust.