Specialist Study Skills & Strategy Support Mentor (SpLD)
Pay Rate: £20.00 per hour
Contract Type: Self-Employed / Freelance Contractor
Location: South West Region England (Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire), and Liverpool
Key Demographic: Higher Education 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: "Casual Peer + Empathetic Coach"
We are looking for a qualified Specialist One-to-One Study Skills and Strategy Support Mentor to support higher education students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and dyscalculia.
You will deliver non-subject-specific, strategy-led support that builds academic confidence, executive functioning, and lifelong independence. Embodying the approach of a "Casual Peer + Empathetic Coach", you will offer structured, practical guidance that equips students to break down academic barriers at their own pace.
What You Will Do
- Create Tailored Strategies: Help students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD develop practical strategies for organizing thoughts, retaining information, and communicating academic knowledge clearly.
- Academic Support: Guide students to set manageable goals and implement time-management and memory techniques tailored to how they learn best.
- Building Independence: Support students in building sustainable routines, helping them become more independent learners over time.
- Custom Academic Systems: Design bespoke academic systems with students, turning complex reading, research, and assignment planning into structured, manageable tasks.
- Sustainable Habit Building: Guide students to set realistic goals and build genuinely sustainable study habits tailored to their specific learning profile and neurodivergent strengths.
- Assistive Technology Integration: Support students in embedding assistive technology and strategy-led study habits into their daily academic workflows.
Pay, Flexibility & The Mango Minds Advantage
- Competitive Rate: £20.00 per hour with transparent session billing
- Zero Admin Overhead: We handle client matching, marketing, and invoicing so you can focus entirely on mentoring. No room hire fees or business overheads.
- Predictable Scheduling: Control your availability while building consistent, weekly schedules with allocated students.
- Dedicated Support & Development: Access direct Mentor guidance and ongoing CPD opportunities.
- Peer Community: Connect with a collaborative peer mentor community to share strategies, resources, and reflective practice.
Mandatory Eligibility Criteria (SFE / DSA Requirements)
To meet SFE/DSA funding compliance, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Level 6), have full UK work authorization, and meet the qualification criteria for Study Skills Support (SpLD):
- Active professional membership or accreditation with PatOSS, BDA, ADSHE, or Dyslexia Guild, OR
- A Level 5 or Level 7 qualification in teaching/assessing students with SpLD (or QTS/PGCE paired with verified specialist SpLD experience).
Pay: £20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- (YES/NO) Do you have previous experience providing one-to-one DSA support to higher education students? (Note: Answer does not automatically disqualify, but helps assess training needs).
- Mandatory: Possess current, mandatory professional membership with one of the following SFE-approved bodies:
PATOSS: Full or Associate Membership.
British Dyslexia Association (BDA): Full Professional Membership (AMBDA / AMBDA FE/HE).
ADSHE: Professional QA Tutor Membership.
Dyslexia Guild: Associate Member (ADG), Associate Member (ADG FE/HE), Member (MDG), or Fellow (FDG).
Note: Affiliate or Online-only memberships do not confer eligibility.
Please state your professional membership below:
Education:
Experience:
- Neurodivergent Support: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- South West Region (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in South West Region
