Main purpose

To support pupils who are facing difficulties in school because of issues related to social, emotional, personal, behavioural problems or other factors. To help these pupils overcome their barriers to learning and fully engage with lessons to become more effective learners, and to improve academic and pastoral progress.

Duties and responsibilities

Teaching and learning

• Promote consistently high expectations of all pupils and make sure they’re making good progress by offering targeted academic and pastoral support
• Identify pupils or groups of pupils who are facing learning difficulties, and put initiatives in place to address the barriers to learning they’re experiencing
• Promote and support inclusion for all pupils, including those with special educational needs (SEN), English as an additional language (EAL) or with a physical disability
• Develop individual and group mentoring programmes, creating space for pupils to receive academic and personal support from staff and peers
• Role model good levels of literacy and numeracy, and encourage improvement in these areas among pupils who are struggling
• Develop action plans for pupils facing particular difficulties, and work with staff and parents/carers to put them in place
• To work with the Transition Mentor to support pupils’ successful transition to the next phases of education
• To supervise pupils and engage positively with them in both structured and unstructured times.
• To maintain professional boundaries at all times by observing/upholding the values and ethos of the Trust whilst contributing to the overall vision of the organisation.

  
  

  Behaviour and safeguarding

• Work with parents/carers, pupils and staff to create open discussions about pupils’ needs, the school’s expectations and what appropriate support looks like
• Work with pupils to demonstrate and encourage good behaviour in line with the school’s behaviour policy
• Support the physical and emotional wellbeing of pupils, encouraging confidence and self-esteem through listening to them, and through individual and group support
• Follow all relevant legislation, guidance and procedures regarding child protection, safeguarding, and health and safety
• Support the attendance and punctuality of all pupils, and work to improve attendance rates where issues are identified, recognising how this links to pupils’ wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with appropriate external agencies to support pupils’ development and progress
• Attend daily briefing and debriefing meetings as well as other staff meetings and team training as directed by the Head Teacher.

  Curriculum and leadership

• Demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and improving skills, and model this to all pupils
• Engage with staff and school leadership to put whole-school strategies in place to support the learning of all pupils
• Liaise with families and develop good relationships with parents/carers, becoming a recognisable and approachable contact within the school
• Network with other learning mentors and local SEND/safeguarding partners to share and promote best practice
• Where appropriate, take part in absence management meetings, and communicate with parents/carers
• Take part in line management within school, and set goals for continuing professional development
• Report to the headteacher and senior leadership team on pupil progress and absence rates
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, and prepare written evaluations and reports

Person specification

The College

London South East Colleges (LSEC) is a leading further and higher education provider, with seven campuses across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and Lambeth and c1000 staff. The College delivers a wide range of vocational courses, apprenticeships and degree programmes to over 13,000 students, designed to meet employer and industry needs.

Committed to transforming lives through the power of learning, the College plays a vital role in promoting social mobility, creating opportunities for learners of all backgrounds to achieve their potential.  With state-of-the-art facilities and strong partnerships with employers and universities, the college equips students with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed for success in their careers and their lives.

As part of London & South East Education Group, the College is also the sponsor of London South East Academies Trust. This growing and successful Multi-Academy Trust currently has a network of 13 mainstream, special and alternative provision schools across Bromley, Bexley, Surrey and Lambeth.

The Group has also recently launched a charity – the LASER Education Foundation. This organisation supports disadvantaged children and their families across the region, through a wide range of programmes and initiatives.

With a combined turnover of c£100m, the Group has ambitious growth plans. There has never been a better time to join this exciting organisation – and really make a different to people’s lives.

Benefits

Excellent pension schemes are offered, including employer contributions (Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme or Nest). Other benefits include:

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Free onsite parking
• Cycle to work/bike loan scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to the 'Discounts for Teachers' portal
• Free Wifi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide Eduroam
• Access to our onsite gym at Bromley, discounts in our in-house restaurants and on our hair and beauty treatments

Accreditations

As employers, we recognise and embrace our legal and quality-assurance framework responsibilities. We use these frameworks, as well as other accreditations and schemes, to further develop our development and progress of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

We acknowledge that there is always more that we can learn and use these accreditations to provide us with an external lens and share/gain best-practice information.

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully-committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer, and creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status and/or marital/partnership status.

As a Disability Confident-Committed employer, we will offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum job role criteria.

If you have accessibility needs and/or require any adjustments for the application and interview process, please email us at [email protected]

In line with KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) guidance we conduct social media checks for all candidates who are shortlisted for roles in order to ascertain their suitability to work with children and young adults.

As the College supports a number of children and vulnerable adults, all staff are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Accordingly, all staff will be subject to an ‘Enhanced’ DBS (formerly CRB) check, along with a Children’s Barred List check if in regulated activity. Any offers of appointment may be withdrawn if these checks prove to be unsatisfactory to the College. Self-disclosure will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you fail to make a full disclosure or provide sight of your DBS certificate then your offer of employment is likely to be withdrawn. The College's DBS policy covers the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available upon request.