Learning mentor
Learning mentors provide a complementary service to teachers and other staff, addressing the needs of children or young adults who require assistance in overcoming barriers to learning in order to achieve their full potential.
They work with a range of pupils, but give priority to those who need the most help, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantages. The variety of issues covered is vast, ranging from punctuality, absence, bullying, challenging behaviour and abuse to working with able and gifted pupils who are experiencing difficulties.
Learning mentors are predominantly education based (in primary, secondary and further education settings) but have a wider remit including families and the wider community. They work with children or young adults on a one-to-one basis or in small or large groups.
Tasks typically involve:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, a degree/HND in a national curriculum subject is particularly useful when working at primary level. A degree covering some of the issues involved in learning mentoring is also useful.
In particular, the following subjects may improve your chances:
Entry without a degree/HND is possible as there are no minimum academic entry requirements, but many entrants do have degrees.
A postgraduate degree is not necessary for entry, but some learning mentors have professional qualifications.
Experience of working with young people is essential and it is extremely useful to have some experience of mentoring, either as a mentor or mentee. Experience of working in an education setting is also valuable.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Competition for jobs is sometimes fierce but your chances of entry can be greatly enhanced by relevant work experience. Any voluntary work that involves working with young people and helping them to solve problems or look at issues that are affecting them is helpful in proving your suitability for the role.
Some universities run mentoring schemes, which are an opportunity to gain experience. Local authorities may also run volunteer learning mentor schemes; learning mentors are generally open to offers of volunteer help. In order to gain relevant experience (working with children), volunteers will need to obtain police clearance via the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
In the first year of employment, most learning mentors will:
Many newly appointed learning mentors will undertake a standardised induction programme, which aims to ensure all support staff are able to carry out their responsibilities competently and with confidence. It should allow them to supply dependable support to pupils while upholding school policies. The programme is delivered via a series of modules consisting of eleven core modules and four optional modules. The modules can be adapted to cover local needs and delivery methods. More information can be found at Department for Education - Support Staff Essential Training .
A qualifications framework drawn from the National Occupational Standards for Learning, Development and Support Services (NOS LDSS) is also in place, leading to the provision of National Vocational Qualifications at levels 3 and 4, and foundation degrees.
Other relevant training is likely to be provided by the area learning mentor strand coordinator, for example:
It is possible to begin as an assistant learning mentor or learning mentor and then progress, through experience, to the role of lead learning mentor or learning mentor coordinator, coordinating the work of a group of learning mentors in a cluster of schools. At present, people in these roles tend to have other related experience but, as the profession develops, people will come through the learning mentor route.
Learning mentors may be able to move across into other related professions in partner organisations, for example working in:
Learning mentors generally work as individuals or as part of a team in primary and secondary schools. A small proportion of learning mentors work in other areas, such as special schools, further education colleges and pupil referral units.
Funding is provided by the government but the appointments are made by individual schools under their usual appointments procedures. Learning mentors are, therefore, answerable to individual school heads.
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