Welfare Officer

Mencap; Sutton Coldfield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a part-time Welfare Officer to join their supported internships team in Sutton Coldfield. This role involves ensuring the welfare and pastoral needs of learners with additional needs are met, both remotely and in-person. Responsibilities include collaborating with teams to build confidence around learner welfare and promoting an inclusive environment. Required qualifications include experience with mental health, safeguarding, and supporting learners with disabilities. Join a supportive team to make a real difference in young people's lives.

Benefits

32 days of paid holiday

Discounts at high-street retailers

Access to health cash plans

Qualifications

• Experience of dealing with mental health, safeguarding & prevent concerns.
• Excellent communication skills and able to efficiently work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of providing pastoral care & support.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with delivery teams to build skills around learner welfare.
• Support learners in identifying and responding to pastoral concerns.
• Promote a safe, inclusive environment for learners.

Skills

Communication skills

Experience with mental health

Organizational skills

Experience with learning disabilities

Self-motivated

Education

Relevant training in welfare/pastoral support

Job description

Job Advert

At Mencap we are looking for a compassionate and proactive Welfare Officer to join our supported internships team. The focus of this role is to ensure the welfare and pastoral needs of learners on our Supported Internship are met. You’ll support learners with additional needs to achieve their full potential — ensuring their welfare, wellbeing, and pastoral needs are met every step of the way.

The Welfare Officer position is part time (12 hours per week) permanent contract. You'll be providing both remote and in‑person support across our Lichfield site in Staffordshire.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with delivery teams to build their skills and confidence around learner welfare, safeguarding and wellbeing across each programme.
• Work directly with learners and their families, on a 1:1 basis or as part of group sessions within local services.
• Support staff in identifying and responding to safeguarding, Prevent, and pastoral concerns.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that enables learners to succeed.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external agencies to ensure consistent, high‑quality support.
• Identify learners who need additional welfare support and develop individual support plans.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience of dealing with mental health, safeguarding & prevent concerns.
• Experience of providing pastoral care & support.
• Experience of working with learners who have a learning disability, learning difficulty or autism.
• Excellent communication skills and able to efficiently work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the issues facing young people statutory Safeguarding and Prevent Legislation.
• Experience working with young people in an education setting.
• Well organised & self‑motivated.
• Experience to inspire learners and provide effective engagement and support strategies.
• Training or qualifications relating to welfare/pastoral support desirable (e.g., mental health first aid, designated safeguarding lead training).
• Experience of dealing with welfare issues of young people.

Why Join Mencap?

At Mencap, we value our people and the passion they bring. You’ll be joining a supportive, inclusive team where your work directly helps young people with SEND gain the confidence and skills to thrive in adult life. We operate a blinded recruitment process for a lot of our roles; please ensure you apply with a full application and covering statement.

Ready to make a difference? If you’re ready to help shape brighter futures through education, health and care planning, we’d love to hear from you.

Job ID: 34914. This vacancy closes on Wednesday 7th January. Interviews will be scheduled shortly after.

Benefits

• 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro‑rata).
• Discounts at leading high‑street retailers.
• Access to health cash plans and interest‑free loans.
• Many more exciting offerings.

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. Everyone at Mencap works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes. Wherever people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues, including people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long‑term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.