Learning Support Mentor

Position: Alternative Provision, Learning Support Mentor

Location: Penrith, Cumbria

Start Date: October 2026

Contract Type: Part Time, 3 days per week, term-time only (plus one week inset). Includes 5.6 weeks’ holiday, spread across 12 monthly salaries. The working day is from 9:00am to 16:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Salary: FTE - £27,174 Pro rata (19.5 hours) £12,124

Closing Date for Applications: 18/09/26

About The Role

New Leaf Centre is an alternative provision centre based in Penrith, Cumbria, providing holistic support to children and young people aged 11+ with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurodivergent profiles and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

We are looking to appoint Learning Support Mentors who are dedicated, reliable, hardworking and committed to supporting young people to engage, develop confidence and make progress.

New Leaf provides a calm, nurturing and therapeutic environment. Our approach recognises the individual needs of each learner and the importance of staff being able to build positive relationships and adapt their approach, communication and support accordingly.

Learning at New Leaf includes academic learning alongside a range of practical and enrichment opportunities, including animal-assisted activities, cooking, horticulture, creative activities, life skills and off-site visits.

We recognise the importance of staff working in a supportive, healthy and productive workplace and are committed to ensuring that staff are appropriately supported, valued and provided with opportunities for continued development.

Key Responsibilities

· Build positive and trusting relationships with learners and provide one-to-one and small-group support.

· Support learners with their individual learning programmes and goals, including English and mathematics.

· Adapt learning activities and approaches to meet individual learner needs.

· Support learners to develop confidence, independence, emotional regulation and engagement.

· Provide opportunities for learner choice and meaningful participation in their learning and activities.

· Support a range of practical activities, including animal care, cooking, horticulture, creative projects and off-site activities.

· Observe, record and report learner progress, attendance, incidents and relevant concerns accurately.

· Work collaboratively with colleagues to provide consistent support and follow all safeguarding, health and safety and centre policies.

· Participate in relevant training, supervision and professional development.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone who is:

· Experienced in working with children or young people with SEND, SEMH needs or neurodivergent profiles.

· Able to build positive relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

· Patient, calm, approachable and emotionally aware.

· Flexible and able to adapt their approach to meet individual learner needs.

· Confident supporting both academic and practical learning, including English and mathematics.

· A good communicator who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

· Reliable, organised and committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people.

· Willing to reflect on their practice and undertake continued professional development.

· Experience of working in an educational, alternative provision, social care, youth work, support work or therapeutic setting would be advantageous.

Qualifications and Experience

A relevant Level 3 qualification is required for this role, such as Level 3 Teaching Assistant, Health & Social Care or a relevant Support Worker qualification.

Candidates who do not currently hold a relevant Level 3 qualification may be considered where they have suitable experience and are willing to work towards and complete the required qualification, subject to the requirements of the role.

Candidates should have an appropriate level of literacy and numeracy and be confident supporting learners with core subjects, particularly English and mathematics.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV and covering letter detailing their suitability for the role and relevant experience.

Applications should be emailed to [email protected], for the attention of Ben Durkan, Centre Manager.

Closing date: 18th September 2026

Interview date: 21st September

Successful candidates will be invited to interview by letter/email.

New Leaf Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We undertake safer recruitment and safeguarding checks on all employees in accordance with relevant legislation and DfE statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education.

This will include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and appropriate employment and reference checks. New Leaf Centre may also undertake an online search as part of its due diligence on shortlisted applicants, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of the required pre-employment and safeguarding checks.

Pay: £27,174.00 per year

Work Location: In person