Purpose of the Role
The Student Mentor Music Lead will provide high-quality mentoring, pastoral support, and music-based engagement for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs within an alternative provision setting.
The role is focused on helping young people feel safe, engage in learning, develop emotional regulation, and build confidence, independence, and life skills through positive relationships and consistent support.
The post holder will lead and deliver engaging music activity using instruments, music technology, and creative practice to support participation, personal development, and progression, while working in line with the organisation’s trauma-aware and safeguarding approaches.
Key Responsibilities
1. Curriculum-Focused Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver inclusive music sessions that engage young people and build on their interests, strengths, and musical preferences across a range of genres.
- Use music technology, recording equipment, and DAW software to facilitate music creation, experimentation, and progression.
- Support young people to develop instrumental, performance, and production skills, including opportunities to work with guitar, drums, piano, or other relevant instruments.
- Prepare resources, maintain equipment safely, and ensure music activities are well organised and suitable for the needs of the young people attending.
- Contribute to the development of the music offer, including performances, showcases, accreditation opportunities, and progression pathways where appropriate.
2. Keyworker-Focused Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one and small-group support for young people with SEND and social and emotional mental health needs.
- Able to manage case work for 2 to 3 young people on a daily basis.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that support engagement, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.
- Support young people to regulate emotions and manage behaviour in a safe, calm, and structured way.
- Implement individual support strategies in line with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), risk assessments, and agreed support plans where applicable.
- Promote independence, resilience, confidence, and positive social development.
- Work closely with project managers and colleagues to adapt sessions and activities to meet individual needs.
- Monitor, record, and share progress, achievements, attendance, and concerns with the wider team in line with organisational procedures.
3. Behaviour and Wellbeing Support
- Apply trauma-informed, relational and restorative approaches to behaviour support.
- Support the de-escalation of challenging situations calmly, professionally, and safely.
- Promote positive mental health, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging.
- Identify, record, and report safeguarding, wellbeing, and attendance concerns promptly and appropriately.
4. Communication and Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Communicate effectively with parents/carers, schools, social workers, and external agencies where appropriate.
- Provide clear and timely feedback on progress, concerns, and achievements.
- Uphold the organisation’s values, policies, safeguarding procedures, and equality, diversity, and inclusion commitments.
- Maintain accurate records, professional boundaries, and confidentiality at all times, sharing information appropriately in line with GDPR and safeguarding responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential
· Strong practical knowledge of music delivery, music engagement, and the use of appropriate tools, instruments, and platforms.
· Experience of working with children or young people, ideally within alternative education, youth work, SEND, or similar settings.
· Understanding of behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, and relationship-based working.
· Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with young people who may be disengaged from education.
· Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
· Commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
· A teaching, mentoring, youth work, coaching, or music-related qualification.
· Experience of working with young people with SEND, SEMH needs, or other vulnerabilities.
· First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Health and Safety, or related training.
· Experience of working within the charity, youth, education, or alternative provision sector.
Personal Attributes
· Calm, resilient, and able to work positively under pressure.
· Creative, adaptable, and solution-focused in response to individual needs.
· Able to maintain clear professional boundaries while building trusted relationships.
· Committed to reflective practice, teamwork, and continuous development.
Safeguarding Statement
Oarsome Chance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This role involves travel between sites, and the post holder must hold a valid UK driving licence.
For more information about the organisation and the role, please refer to the company website: Home - Oarsome Chance
Last day to apply -8 June 2026
Pay: £27,300.00-£28,119.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 08/06/2026
