Pay Rate: £20.00 per hour
Contract Type: Self-Employed / Freelance Contractor
Location: Liverpool and North West England
Key Demographic: University Students receiving Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Who We Are: A Network Built on Quality
Mango Minds is a nationwide specialist provider of higher education support. We partner with universities to deliver tailored, one-to-one support to students in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
We are defined by our commitment to quality and a highly supportive culture. We invest in the professionals we work with. Our mission is to provide excellent student outcomes, built on a framework of dedicated Lead Mentor guidance, collaborative peer communities, and ongoing CPD. When you join us, you are joining a network dedicated to high standards and practical, reliable support.
Role Overview: Study Skills & Specialist Mentoring Support
We are recruiting Specialist Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) Tutors and Mentors to support university students with autism across both academic strategy (Study Skills) and holistic student life (Specialist Mentoring).
Holding approved adult autism credentials qualifies you to deliver both support streams, allowing for maximum student allocation and continuity of care. In this role, you will embody the approach of a "Casual Peer + Empathetic Coach", offering non-directive, structured guidance to help autistic students build independence and thrive at university.
- Study Skills & Strategy (ASC): Focuses on executive functioning, time management, task prioritization, assignment planning, and tailoring study strategies to the student’s neurodivergent learning profile.
- Specialist Mentoring (ASC): Focuses on social, emotional, and structural shifts of university life; helping students build routines, manage sensory/environmental overwhelm, navigate campus dynamics, and self-advocate.
Pay & Flexibility
- Rate: £20.00 per hour (Self-Employed / Freelance Contractor).
- The Mango Minds Difference: We handle client matching, university relations, and invoicing so you can focus on support delivery. Standard role-related admin is simple and streamlined, with zero overheads and no room hire fees.
What You'll Do
- Executive Functioning & Custom Workflows: Design bespoke academic systems, turning research, reading, and project planning into manageable, structured steps.
- Transition & Life Skills: Guide students through the social and structural transition to higher education, supporting communication, independent living routines, and social confidence.
- Overwhelm & Regulation Strategies: Provide practical tools to navigate procrastination, manage sensory environments, reduce anxiety, and optimize working memory.
- Assistive Technology Integration: Help students embed assistive technology and neurodivergent-friendly study habits into their daily routines.
- Progress Tracking & Safeguarding: Monitor student well-being, recognize early signs of distress, and escalate concerns when appropriate.
Essential Eligibility & Mandatory Qualifications (SFE Criteria)
To meet SFE/DSA funding criteria for ASC support roles, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Level 6) and meet at least one of the following autism qualification pathways:
- Pathway A (Training Route): Any Bachelor’s Degree PLUS comprehensive training in adult autism (such as the 6 National Autistic Society (NAS) online modules, Optimum ELearning course, or approved equivalent adult autism training) PLUS a commitment to 10 hours of autism-specific CPD annually.
- Pathway B (Specialist Degree Route): A Bachelor’s degree (Level 6) in Psychology, Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND), Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, or Education Studies; provided your academic transcript includes dedicated modules in autism/neurodiversity (e.g., Autism Spectrum Conditions, Neurodiversity in Adulthood) or a verified final-year dissertation project focused on adult autism.
- Pathway C (Postgraduate Route): A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, or PhD in Autism, Asperger’s, or Critical Disability Studies focusing on autism.
The Mango Minds Advantage: Why Professionals Choose Us
We believe high-quality student outcomes require highly supported professionals. When you join the Mango Minds Network, you gain access to:
- Support & Development: Dedicated Lead Mentor support, ongoing CPD opportunities, and continuous guidance.
- Culture of Quality: Access to a collaborative peer-mentor community to share reflective practice and practical strategies.
- Efficient Allocation: Quick student matching and fast referral contact times so your time is spent working, not waiting.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to dedicated mental health and wellbeing resources
- Simplicity: Transparent contracts and predictable weekly schedules, ideal for building a scalable portfolio career.
Location & Status
Location: Liverpool
Status: Self-employed/Freelance Contractor. You must be eligible to work in the UK and possess proof of active professional membership/qualifications.
Pay: £20.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Have you completed accredited adult autism training (e.g., 6 NAS modules, Optimum ELearning, or equivalent) OR hold a specialist Postgraduate qualification in Autism?
- Do you have previous experience providing one-to-one support to neurodivergent individuals or higher education students? (Note: Previous DSA experience is preferred but not required, helps assess onboarding training needs)
Education:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Liverpool, Merseyside (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Liverpool
