Learning Mentor

Location

Abington, Northampton, NN1

Start date

4 January 2027

Salary

£26,438 per annum

Hours

40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm

Contract

Permanent, full-time, year-round

About Little Grove Learning

Little Grove Learning is a small, specialist alternative provision for children aged 5–11 who experience barriers to accessing mainstream education.

Established in September 2026, Little Grove provides a calm, nurturing and low-demand environment where emotional safety, connection and regulation come first. Our approach is relationship-based, sensory-aware and child-led, with learning opportunities tailored to each child's individual needs, interests and abilities.

As our provision continues to grow, we are looking for a dedicated Learning Mentor to join our team and contribute to the ongoing development of Little Grove.

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate, adaptable and experienced Learning Mentor to support children with a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, PDA profiles, sensory processing differences and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).

Working within a small, supportive team, you will provide individualised support on a 1:1, 1:2 and small-group basis, helping children develop confidence, communication, independence and engagement with learning.

Building trusting relationships is central to the role. You will support children through co-regulation, sensory-informed practice and flexible, low-demand approaches, recognising that progress looks different for every child.

We are looking for someone who is patient, understanding and enthusiastic about making a positive difference. You will be supported through ongoing professional development and have opportunities to contribute to the continued growth of Little Grove.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Children and Learning

• Provide individualised support on a 1:1, 1:2 or small-group basis, promoting children's safety, wellbeing, independence and access to learning opportunities.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help children feel safe, understood and included.
• Support emotional regulation through co-regulation, sensory-informed practice and nurturing, low-arousal approaches.
• Adapt learning activities, resources and environments to reflect children's individual needs, interests, abilities and emotional readiness.
• Support communication differences, sensory processing needs and the development of social, emotional and independence skills.
• Maintain positive, realistic expectations while respecting each child's individual pace of development.
• Support transitions and provide predictable yet flexible routines.
• Promote inclusion, acceptance and respect for each child's individuality, communication preferences and neurodivergent identity.

Planning, Personal Care and Progress

• Assist with the development, implementation and review of individual learning plans, support plans and intimate care plans.
• Provide personal and intimate care where required, in accordance with individual plans, relevant training and Little Grove's policies.
• Prepare, maintain and adapt learning resources and equipment to create an engaging, purposeful and sensory-aware environment.
• Observe, record and celebrate children's achievements, progress and development.
• Maintain accurate records and share relevant information with the Head of Provision and wider team.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and external professionals to provide consistent, individualised support.

Safeguarding and Professional Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children attending Little Grove.
• Follow individual risk assessments, safeguarding procedures and agreed approaches to supporting children experiencing distress or dysregulation.
• Recognise and promptly report safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL.
• Follow Little Grove's Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, Behaviour & Regulation Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and other relevant procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality and accurate records.
• Participate in relevant training, team meetings and professional development.
• Contribute positively to Little Grove's calm, supportive and collaborative working environment.

Salary and Working Arrangements

This is a permanent, full-time position with an annual salary of £26,438, based on 40 paid hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm.

The role is year-round and subject to a three-month probationary period.

Benefits

As a member of the Little Grove team, you will receive:

• 20 days' paid annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Additional paid closure days during Little Grove's Christmas shutdown, where designated by the provision, without deduction from annual leave entitlement.
• Flexible annual leave arrangements, including opportunities to request leave outside traditional school holiday periods, subject to operational requirements.
• Predictable working hours of 8:00am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
• Branded Little Grove uniform, including polo shirts and fleece.
• Ongoing professional development and specialist SEND training.
• SENCO and teacher-led professional support and mentoring.
• A calm, nurturing and well-resourced working environment.
• A supportive, collaborative team culture with a strong focus on staff wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Opportunities to contribute to the continued development and growth of Little Grove Learning.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including within education, childcare, specialist provision or another relevant setting.
• Understanding of children's individual needs, communication differences and emotional development.
• Knowledge of child-led learning, play-based approaches and adapting activities to meet individual needs.
• Understanding of sensory needs, emotional regulation and relationship-based approaches to supporting children.

Skills and Personal Qualities

• A caring, patient, adaptable and proactive approach to supporting children.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with children and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to respond calmly and sensitively to children experiencing distress or dysregulation.
• Ability to adapt approaches, routines and learning opportunities to meet children's individual needs.
• Effective communication skills when working with children, families, colleagues and external professionals.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a small team while using initiative when appropriate.
• Good organisational skills, reliability and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and promoting children's wellbeing.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and engage in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications and Recruitment Requirements

• A relevant Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Childcare, Early Years or a related field, or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check, including a children's barred list check, and all other relevant safer recruitment checks.
• Ability to provide satisfactory employment references.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting autistic children, children with ADHD, PDA profiles, sensory processing differences or EBSA.
• Experience working within EYFS, KS1, KS2 or a specialist SEND setting.
• Knowledge of continuous provision, play-based learning and child-led approaches.
• Relevant SEND qualifications or additional specialist training.
• Experience using co-regulation, sensory-informed and low-arousal approaches.
• Experience contributing to individual learning plans, risk assessments or support plans.
• Experience supporting children with communication differences or personal care needs.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Little Grove Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in our care. We expect all staff to share this commitment and maintain high standards of safeguarding, professional conduct and child protection.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with the appropriate children's barred list check, verification of identity and right to work in the UK, satisfactory employment references and any other checks relevant to the role.

References will normally be requested prior to interview, including from previous employers where applicants have worked with children or adults at risk. As part of our safer recruitment procedures, online searches will be carried out on shortlisted candidates in accordance with our safeguarding procedures and the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

This position involves regulated activity with children. Successful applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and follow Little Grove's Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and Behaviour & Regulation Policy.

All staff are expected to recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, promptly reporting concerns to the DSL or Deputy DSL and contributing to a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment for every child.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Little Grove Learning is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices.

How to Apply

We are recruiting for a Learning Mentor (SEND) to join Little Grove Learning in January 2027.

As part of our safer recruitment process, all applicants are required to complete a Little Grove Learning Application Form.

Application closing date: Monday 16th November 2026, at 12 noon.

Interviews: Thursday 19th and Friday 20th November 2026.

Proposed start date: Monday 4 January 2027, subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Applicants who hold an Enhanced DBS certificate registered with the DBS Update Service are encouraged to indicate this on their application form. Any existing certificate must be appropriate for the role and will be subject to the necessary verification and safeguarding checks. An existing DBS certificate or Update Service subscription is not essential to apply.

To request an application pack or arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

[email protected]

Further information about Little Grove Learning is available on our website.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Pay: £26,438.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? If yes, please briefly describe your experience, including any experience supporting autistic children, children with ADHD, PDA profiles or sensory processing differences.

Experience:

• supporting children with SEND: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person