Student Engagement Mentor

Smile Education; Dudley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Education is seeking a motivated Student Engagement Mentor for a role in a secondary school's alternative provision in Dudley. You will support students facing behavioural and engagement challenges, build relationships, and deliver targeted mentoring to re-engage learners with education.

The ideal candidate brings empathy, clear boundaries and strong communication, with transferable experience from youth work or sports coaching. DBS and safeguarding checks apply.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour and de-escalate situations.
• Patience, resilience and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children.
• Experience with mentoring or pastoral support is beneficial.
• Transferable skills from youth work, coaching or community roles are welcome.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, professional relationships with students who may be disengaged.
• Support attendance, participation, behaviour and engagement.
• Deliver one-to-one and small-group mentoring sessions.
• Help students reflect on triggers and regulate emotions.
• Promote resilience, accountability and positive decision-making.
• Maintain accurate records of interventions and progress.
• Collaborate with teaching and pastoral teams to monitor concerns.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Behaviour management

Motivation

Empathy

Patience

Resilience

Safeguarding awareness

Team collaboration

Job description

Student Engagement Mentor – Alternative Provision

Location: Dudley

Starting ASAP

Job Type: Full-time, long-term opportunity

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Help Young People Reconnect with Education and Reach Their PotentialSmile Education is seeking a motivated, resilient and enthusiastic Student Engagement Mentor to join a supportive secondary school in the Dudley area.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with young people and wants to make a genuine difference to students who may be struggling to engage with mainstream education.

Based within an alternative provision on a secondary school site, you will support students who may be experiencing behavioural challenges, difficulties with emotional regulation or barriers to learning. Your role will be to build positive relationships, deliver targeted support and encourage students to take responsibility for their choices, develop confidence and re-engage with education.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate transferable skills from youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, pastoral support, residential care, community work or other roles involving young people and behaviour management.

Previous experience in a school is beneficial but is not the only route into this rewarding opportunity.

About the Setting

You will be working within a secondary school in the Dudley area that places importance on student development, inclusion and positive outcomes.

The school's alternative provision supports young people who need additional structure and targeted intervention to help them overcome challenges with behaviour and engagement. The approach combines continued access to learning with opportunities for personal development, reflection and improved emotional regulation.

As a Student Engagement Mentor, you will help students recognise their strengths, understand expectations and develop the skills needed to make more positive choices about their education and future.

The Role – Student Engagement Mentor

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building positive, professional relationships with students who may be disengaged from education or reluctant to accept support.
• Supporting students to improve attendance, participation, behaviour and their overall attitude towards learning.
• Delivering one-to-one and small-group mentoring sessions tailored to individual student needs.
• Encouraging students to reflect on their behaviour, recognise triggers and develop strategies to manage their emotions.
• Promoting resilience, accountability, independence and positive decision-making.
• Supporting students in accessing learning activities and maintaining engagement with their academic work.
• Managing challenging situations calmly, confidently and consistently, following the school's behaviour policies.
• Helping students overcome barriers to learning and develop greater confidence in their abilities.
• Working closely with teaching staff, pastoral teams and other professionals to identify concerns and monitor progress.
• Maintaining accurate records of interventions, behaviour and student engagement.
• Encouraging students to recognise the value of education and work towards successful reintegration into mainstream learning where appropriate.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who can combine empathy and encouragement with clear boundaries and high expectations.

You will be confident working with young people who may display challenging behaviour, have low confidence or struggle to engage with adults and structured learning environments.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence in managing challenging behaviour and de-escalating difficult situations.
• The ability to motivate, encourage and engage young people who may initially be resistant to support.
• Patience, resilience and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• The ability to maintain professional boundaries while developing trusting relationships.
• A genuine interest in student wellbeing, personal development and educational outcomes.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and contribute to a consistent approach to student support.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Transferable Experience We Welcome

Applications are encouraged from candidates with backgrounds in:

• Youth work, mentoring and community engagement.
• Sports coaching, physical education or activity leadership.
• Behaviour support, pastoral care or student supervision.
• Residential childcare, support work or working with vulnerable young people.
• Alternative provision, PRUs, secondary schools or special educational needs settings.
• Youth offending services, outreach work or family support.
• Coaching, training or other roles involving motivation, conflict resolution and personal development.

Why Work Through Smile Education?

• A rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference to young people's lives.
• The chance to develop your experience within secondary education and alternative provision.
• Ongoing support from a dedicated Smile Education consultant.
• An opportunity to use your existing skills in a meaningful new setting.
• The potential to develop your career in mentoring, pastoral support and behaviour intervention.

All applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, in line with current guidance.

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.