About Us
West Sussex Alternative Provision College (WSAPC) is an educational establishment based across the county on seven separate sites, providing education for pupils whom are permanently excluded, at risk of exclusion or too ill to attend school. Our ethos is to provide FOCUS (Future, Opportunities, Curriculum, Us, School) for our pupils to re-engage them in their learning and support re-integration to mainstream provision.
West Sussex Alternative Provision College is seeking a passionate and resilient Positive Connection Mentor to join our Curriculum Access Team. This role is ideal for someone committed to supporting vulnerable young people, reducing the risk of exclusion, and helping students thrive both in education and in their communities.
Job Details
Our work spans primary, secondary and post-16 education, supporting pupils who are permanently excluded, at risk of exclusion, unable to attend school due to medical needs, experiencing significant barriers to learning, or requiring specialist intervention to successfully access education. We operate across multiple sites and services throughout the county, working in partnership with schools, families, health services and local authority teams to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
At Sussex APC, we believe that every child deserves a sense of belonging, regardless of their starting point or the challenges they face. We are ambitious for our pupils and committed to helping them develop the confidence, skills and resilience needed to achieve positive futures.
We are looking for people who share our values and believe that relationships, compassion and high expectations can change lives. In return, we offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where professional development is encouraged, innovation is welcomed and every member of staff plays an important role in improving outcomes for children and young people. If you are motivated by purpose, committed to inclusion and want to make a genuine difference every day, WSAPC offers a unique opportunity to be part of something special.
The Role
This is far more than a traditional mentoring role. As a Positive Connections Mentor, you will work with some of the county's most vulnerable and hard-to-reach young people, helping them overcome barriers that place them at risk of exclusion, criminal exploitation, offending, anti-social behaviour and disengagement from education.
Through positive relationships, innovative intervention programmes and community-based activities, you will support young people to develop resilience, self-regulation, confidence and aspiration. You will play a key role in helping pupils reconnect with education, improve attendance and engagement, and build positive pathways for their future.
Working across schools, communities and partner agencies, you will help design and deliver bespoke programmes, lead targeted interventions and contribute to wider safeguarding, inclusion and exclusion prevention strategies.
No two days will be the same. One day you may be working directly with a young person, the next developing an off-site programme, supporting a school with a complex case, delivering staff training or working alongside partner agencies to coordinate support around a vulnerable learner.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Building positive, professional and trusting relationships with vulnerable and hard-to-reach young people.
- Delivering targeted interventions that improve engagement, attendance, behaviour and educational outcomes.
- Designing and developing innovative programmes, enrichment opportunities and off-site learning experiences.
- Supporting pupils who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation, offending, anti-social behaviour or exclusion.
- Working alongside Heads of School to identify needs, develop intervention plans and monitor impact.
- Leading and contributing to multi-agency planning and review meetings.
- Building partnerships with schools, families, community organisations and external agencies.
- Delivering training, advice and guidance to colleagues.
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of interventions and programmes.
- Contributing to the ongoing development of APC's Curriculum Access Team offer.
What You Need to Succeed
About You
- Is passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Builds strong relationships and quickly gains the trust of others.
- Is creative, innovative and able to think differently when traditional approaches have not worked.
- Has experience of supporting young people with social, emotional, behavioural or additional needs.
- Demonstrates resilience, professional curiosity and excellent judgement.
- Can work confidently with families, schools and partner agencies.
- Has strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
- Understands safeguarding, contextual safeguarding and the importance of early intervention.
- Is committed to inclusion, belonging and helping young people achieve positive futures.
- May have experience or qualifications within youth work, education, criminal justice, psychology, criminology, social care, safeguarding or related fields.
We welcome applications from individuals with experience in education, youth work, youth justice, community engagement, policing, probation, mentoring or social care, as well as graduates in areas such as Criminal Psychology, Criminology, Psychology or related disciplines who are looking to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.
Essential Requirements
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above)
- Understanding of schools and educational systems
- Knowledge of anti-social behaviour and safeguarding principles
- Experience working with young people with behavioural or SEMH needs
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across Sussex
Desirable
- Understanding of the Criminal Justice System
- Experience of multi-agency working
- Knowledge of exploitation risks and prevention strategies
- Experience supporting pupils with SEN or EHCPs
Why Join WSAPC?
- Be part of a supportive and inclusive organisation
- Contribute to improving outcomes for young people
- Opportunities for professional development, training and progression
- A role where no two days are the same
- Work within a collaborative and dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for pupils.
Further Information
West Sussex Alternative Provision College and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks, including references, social media check and Disclosure & Barring Service check.
WSAPC is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications for all vacancies from appropriately qualified persons regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
The closing date is a guide only. We intend to review applications as they are received and call those shortlisted for immediate interview. An early application is advised, as once we have appointed, we will close the recruitment process.
How to Apply
To apply for this role please download the job description and application form below.
Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).
Once complete please return this to [email protected]
Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 01444 232 771
NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.
The reference number for this role is SCHO02779.
Job Reference: SCHO02779
