Stable Futures is seeking an experienced Learning Mentor with a strong background in supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and complex additional needs.
The successful candidate will have experience working directly with young people who may have a range of needs including moderate to severe learning disabilities, high-level autism, communication difficulties, non-verbal communication and complex medical or physical needs.
This role requires a patient, adaptable and confident practitioner who is able to understand individual communication, sensory, behavioural, emotional and learning needs and adapt their approach accordingly.
The role will primarily provide bespoke 1:1 and small-group support, enabling learners with more complex needs to safely access education, personal development opportunities and the wider Stable Futures environment.
Consistency will be particularly important within this role. The successful candidate will therefore be required to work flexibly, including providing agreed sessions outside of traditional school term dates and at weekends, where required to meet the needs of individual learners.
The postholder will also undertake planned home visits to children and young people supported by Amegreen Children’s Services. This may include relationship-building, transition work and providing familiar and consistent support to help learners progress towards successfully accessing Stable Futures.
While learning disabilities and complex needs will be the primary specialism of the role, the postholder will be an integral member of the wider Stable Futures team and will be expected to support the full needs of the provision, including young people with SEN and SEMH needs.
About Stable Futures
Stable Futures is a therapeutic Alternative Provision offering practical, animal-assisted and outdoor education to children and young people with a wide range of additional needs and barriers to accessing education.
Our provision incorporates an Alternative Curriculum alongside animal care, Equine Facilitated Learning, horticulture, culinary activities, PSHE, Forest School, outdoor learning and personal development opportunities.
Learning is adapted to the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to the environment. Learners may require 1:1 support, highly differentiated activities, alternative communication approaches, sensory adaptations or a gradual transition into the provision.
Stable Futures is part of Amegreen Children’s Services, which has extensive experience supporting children and young people with complex needs through therapeutic care and education.
Key Responsibilities
Learning Disabilities & Complex Needs Support
- Provide skilled 1:1 and small-group support to learners with learning disabilities and complex additional needs.
- Support learners with a range of presentations including autism, non-verbal communication, communication difficulties and moderate to severe learning disabilities.
- Understand and respond appropriately to individual communication, sensory, emotional, physical and learning needs.
- Use appropriate communication strategies and resources according to individual learner needs.
- Adapt activities, environments and expectations to make learning accessible and meaningful.
- Support learners to develop independence, communication, confidence, social interaction and practical life skills.
- Follow individual support plans, risk assessments, EHCP outcomes, medical guidance and agreed strategies.
- Work closely with families, carers, education professionals, therapists and other involved professionals where appropriate.
- Recognise changes in presentation and communicate concerns promptly to the appropriate manager or professional.
Transition & Home-Based Support
- Undertake home visits for identified learners supported by Amegreen Children’s Services.
- Build positive and consistent relationships with learners who may require additional support before accessing the provision.
- Support gradual transitions from the home environment into Stable Futures.
- Work alongside families, carers and professionals to understand individual routines, communication methods, triggers, preferences and support strategies.
- Provide consistency between home-based transition work and the learner’s eventual attendance at Stable Futures.
- Record and communicate relevant information following home visits in accordance with organisational procedures.
Teaching, Learning & Personal Development
- Support the planning and delivery of accessible, differentiated learning activities.
- Contribute to individual learning and personal development targets.
- Support learners to engage in practical activities including animal care, horticulture, culinary, arts and crafts, outdoor and Forest School learning.
- Use learners’ individual interests and strengths to encourage engagement and progression.
- Support the development of independence and preparation for adulthood where appropriate.
- Record engagement, progress and outcomes accurately.
- Contribute to reports, observations, reviews and professional meetings where required.
Wider Provision & SEMH Support
Although this position has a particular focus on learning disabilities and complex needs, the postholder will be expected to work flexibly across Stable Futures.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supporting young people with SEN, SEMH and other additional needs.
- Providing 1:1 support or working within small groups according to the needs of the provision.
- Supporting learners experiencing dysregulation or barriers to engagement.
- Maintaining clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries.
- Using therapeutic and relationship-based approaches to support engagement.
- Supporting positive behaviour, emotional regulation and restorative practice.
- Working collaboratively with Learning Mentors, Tutors, Equine Care Workers and Managers.
Animal & Outdoor Learning
- Confidently work within a farm and outdoor learning environment.
- Support learners to safely engage with horses, livestock and small animals.
- Assist with animal-related learning activities and practical animal care where appropriate.
- Support Forest School, horticulture and other outdoor activities.
- Follow all relevant animal welfare, health and safety and risk-management procedures.
- Recognise that working outdoors and around animals’ forms part of the everyday expectations of the role.
Safeguarding & Pastoral Support
- Always maintain a high standard of safeguarding practice.
- Understand the increased vulnerability of children and young people with learning disabilities, communication difficulties and complex needs.
- Recognise and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Promote learner voice, including identifying appropriate methods for learners who communicate non-verbally or require alternative communication approaches.
- Maintain professional and therapeutic relationships with children, families and carers.
- Support learners with dignity, respect and an understanding of their individual needs.
Recording & Multi-Agency Working
- Maintain accurate records of learner engagement, progress, incidents and relevant observations.
- Contribute to EHCP reviews, professional meetings and transition planning where appropriate.
- Communicate effectively with families, carers, schools, local authorities and other professionals.
- Work collaboratively with the wider Amegreen Children’s Services team to provide consistent support.
- Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional information-sharing.
Person Specification
Essential Experience & Knowledge
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Direct experience supporting children or young people with learning disabilities and complex additional needs.
- Experience supporting individuals with autism and significant communication needs.
- Experience supporting young people who may be non-verbal or use alternative methods of communication.
- A good understanding of how learning disabilities can affect communication, behaviour, independence and access to education.
- Experience adapting activities and communication to meet individual levels of understanding.
- Experience working with children or young people with SEN.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and the additional vulnerabilities associated with children with complex needs.
- Ability to recognise and respond appropriately to dysregulation, distress and changes in presentation.
- Experience working collaboratively with families, carers and professionals.
- Ability to maintain accurate written records.
- Willingness and ability to work flexibly according to the needs of individual learners and the provision.
Desirable Experience & Knowledge
- Experience supporting young people with moderate or severe learning disabilities.
- Experience working with young people with high-level autism.
- Experience supporting individuals with complex medical or physical needs.
- Experience using communication approaches or systems such as PECS, Makaton, visual communication or AAC.
- Experience within SEND education, Alternative Provision, specialist schools, residential care or therapeutic services.
- Experience supporting young people with SEMH needs.
- Training relating to autism, learning disabilities, communication, sensory processing or complex needs.
- Relevant qualification in education, SEND, health and social care, childcare or a related field.
- Experience supporting transitions between home, education or care environments.
Skills & Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will:
- Be patient, calm, resilient and adaptable.
- Have strong relationship-building skills.
- Be comfortable working with learners who require significant levels of support.
- Be able to recognise and respond to individual communication and sensory needs.
- Be confident working independently on a 1:1 basis while remaining part of a wider team.
- Be able to maintain therapeutic relationships alongside clear professional boundaries.
- Be proactive and able to adapt when a planned activity is no longer appropriate for a learner.
- Be comfortable working in home, farm, forest and outdoor environments.
- Be willing to work directly with animals, including horses and livestock.
- Have strong communication and record-keeping skills.
- Be able to work effectively with families and multidisciplinary professionals.
- Be committed to continued professional development and additional training relevant to individual learner needs.
Working Pattern & Flexibility
This role requires a flexible approach to working hours.
Alongside weekday provision, the successful candidate will be expected to provide agreed support outside of school term dates and on some weekends where required.
This flexibility is an important part of the role and is intended to provide consistency for learners with complex needs, support transition programmes and enable additional bespoke sessions to be provided where these are beneficial to the individual.
The role will also require travel between Stable Futures, Amegreen Children’s Services settings and learners’ homes where planned home-based or transition support is required.
Additional Responsibilities
- Transport learners where required and appropriately authorised.
- Support learners to access community activities and appointments associated with their programme.
- Assist with daily routines across the provision.
- Support preparation of lunches and practical activities where required.
- Contribute to maintaining safe, clean and appropriate learning environments.
- Attend staff meetings, supervision and required training.
- Undertake any additional reasonable duties appropriate to the role and needs of the provision.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, online searches, and satisfactory reference checks in line with our safer recruitment policy. We follow robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people we appoint are suitable to work with children.
Pay: £23,500.00-£25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Mortimer Common RG7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you have the right now or in the future to work without the need of sponsorship?
- Do you have any SEND experience?
Work Location: In person
