Student Welfare Mentor – Aviation Academy

This job description is a guide to the duties you will be expected to perform.  These may change in the future in line with the strategic direction and development of the College.

·       Provide pastoral, wellbeing and safeguarding support to students, helping them overcome barriers to learning, achieve positive outcomes and progress successfully through college.

·       Manage a caseload of students, including reviewing safeguarding and mentoring referrals, assessing needs, implementing timely interventions, and signposting to appropriate internal and external support services.

·       Deliver individual and group support focused on attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, personal development, resilience and engagement, working closely with parents, carers and staff where required.

·       Act as a key point of contact for students, curriculum teams and external agencies, coordinating support plans, multi-agency meetings and interventions to ensure students receive the help they need.

·       Support vulnerable and at-risk students, including those with SEMH needs, Looked After Children (LAC), Care Leavers and other students requiring targeted support, ensuring appropriate plans and provisions are in place.

·       Promote high standards of behaviour, attendance and student engagement, implementing positive behaviour strategies and contributing to an inclusive, respectful and supportive college environment.

·       Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date records relating to student welfare, safeguarding, interventions and support plans using college systems.

·       Assist students in accessing financial support, bursaries and other practical assistance, helping to remove barriers that may impact on participation and achievement.

·       Contribute to student enrichment, personal development and tutorial activities, including delivering workshops and supporting initiatives that prepare students for progression, employment and active citizenship. Being available to students over breaks and lunch times to promote inclusive activities.

·       Support student transition, induction and progression, working collaboratively with curriculum, SEND and Student Services teams to ensure a positive student experience.

·       Represent the college at recruitment, open events and student engagement activities, promoting college services and opportunities.

·       Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion at all times, ensuring compliance with college policies and a commitment to the welfare, health and safety of all learners.

·       Any other duties commensurate with grade and status as may reasonably be requested

This job description and person specification is current at the date of issue. Changing organisational needs may require the job description to change, within reason, after prior consultation with the post holder.

The person we are hoping to appoint will meet all the following essential requirements and some or all of the desirable requirements.

Essential Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Relevant Level 3 qualification (Learning support, Counselling) or willing to work towards

·       Minimum of Level 2 qualification in English and Maths 

·       Commitment to undertaking relevant safeguarding and wellbeing training

EXPERIENCE

·       Experience of working with young people

·       Experience of working in a student-centred environment 

·       Experience of working with multiple agencies and professionals to support positive outcomes

·       An understanding of the issues facing young people and the barriers to education

·       Good understanding of safeguarding in an education setting Experience of maintaining accurate, confidential records and managing sensitive information

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

·       Excellent team working skills and the ability to manage own workload

·       A proactive, energetic student focused and results oriented approach

·       Proven administrative and organisational skills

·       Ability to assimilate and present full and accurate information, both written and verbal, in a clear and concise manner

·       Ability to handle sensitive situations professionally, maintaining appropriate confidentiality and boundaries

·       Well organised, capable of working under pressure, meeting deadlines and targets, managing caseloads 

·       Strong team player, committed to an ethos of continuous improvement

·       The ability to develop and maintain own professional knowledge, skills and experience, including formal training

·       Ability to effectively use digital tools and platforms. Staff are required to undertake continuing professional development to ensure their digital skills are up-to-date and aligned with the efficient and effective delivery of college services or willing to work towards.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

·       Flexible approach to working which includes support for Open Events and Enrolment

·       A strong commitment to equality and diversity and the ability to recognise the needs of different service users

Desirable Requirements 

·       Level 5 qualification or equivalent in a related field (e.g., counselling, social care).

·       Previous experience in a wellbeing or mental health support role within an educational setting.

·       A qualification in teaching, training, or assessing, and experience in the FE sector.

·       Knowledge of CPOMS, Promonitor or similar student record systems

·       Experience delivering personal development, wellbeing or enrichment programmes. 

·       Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, Prevent or related specialist training