Student Support Mentor

Acorn Care and Education; Oakham; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization is seeking a Student Support Mentor to support young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This role involves enhancing the learning experience by building strong relationships and providing tailored support. With a competitive salary and participation in a trial for a four-day working week, this position is perfect for caring individuals looking to make a difference. The school offers a nurturing environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an educational setting is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support children with SEMH needs to engage positively with learning.
• Build trusting relationships to help pupils regulate their emotions.
• Work closely with teachers and therapists.

Skills

Enthusiastic

Caring

Resilient

Adaptable

Flexible

Strong teamwork

Education

GCSE grade C/4 in English and Maths

Job description

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

We’re proud to be taking part in a 4-Day Working Week Trial, meaning you could work one day less a week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full‑time pay.

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

Job Title: Student Support Mentor

Location: The Grange Therapeutic School, Knossington, Oakham LE15 8LY

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Rota: Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm | Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As a Student Support Mentor, you will play a vital role in supporting children and young people with SEMH needs to engage positively with learning, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for life beyond school. Set within a beautiful countryside environment, The Grange Therapeutic School offers a highly personalised, therapeutic approach where education, emotional wellbeing, and personal development are closely connected.

Working both in and out of the classroom, you will support pupils academically, socially, and emotionally. You will build strong, trusting relationships that help pupils regulate their emotions, engage in learning, and develop positive behaviour. The role involves supporting structured lessons as well as therapeutic, outdoor, and enrichment activities, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.

You will work closely with teachers, therapists, and other professionals as part of a dedicated multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to a calm, nurturing, and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and supported. Safeguarding and wellbeing will be central to your role, ensuring pupils’ safety, dignity, and care at all times.

Who We’re Looking For

• Enthusiastic, caring, and resilient individuals with a genuine desire to support vulnerable young people
• Adaptable and flexible, confident working across different environments and activities
• Strong team players who value collaboration and shared learning
• A commitment to learning, with full training and ongoing professional development provided

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Educated to GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths
• Experience working with children in an educational, care, or support setting (highly desirable)

This is an opportunity to build a meaningful career in education, helping young people unlock their potential and move towards happier, more fulfilling futures.

About Us

The Grange Therapeutic School is an independent school for students aged 8 -18 years with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Our school is based in a Victorian country house near Oakham with stunning views and fantastic facilities to develop not only the educational, but also the social and emotional needs of our pupils. With access to woods and lakes on site, the school has an ethos about delivering a personalised curriculum tailored to, and driven by, the individuals. Behaviour is currently rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

We need hardworking, pupil centred staff who are resilient and willing to go the extra mile. In return we offer significant investment in your professional development, a supportive staff group and opportunities for progression.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.