Specialist HLTA / Learning & Wellbeing Mentor
Neuroaffirming, Relationship-Based Support Role
Hours: Up to 32.5 hours per week, Term Time Only
Pay: Up to £25 per hour (depending on experience and suitability)
Location: Westbourne, West Sussex
About the Role
We are seeking a compassionate, energetic and emotionally intelligent individual to support a neurodivergent child accessing an alternative educational pathway.
This is not a traditional school-based HLTA role. The child experiences significant anxiety linked to their neurodevelopmental profile and requires a highly individualised, low-demand and relationship-led approach. Traditional behaviour management, compliance-based strategies and task-focused support are not appropriate.
Instead, we are looking for someone who can build trust, support emotional regulation and facilitate learning through play, interests, community experiences and everyday life opportunities.
The successful candidate will understand that emotional wellbeing and regulation come before academic demands, and that meaningful progress may look very different from traditional educational outcomes.
What the Role Involves
You will:
* Build a trusting, consistent relationship with the child.
* Support emotional regulation through co-regulation and responsive interactions.
* Facilitate learning through play, interests and real-life experiences.
* Support community access and outdoor learning opportunities.
* Recognise and record incidental learning.
* Adapt plans flexibly according to the child's needs.
* Work collaboratively with parents, therapists and other professionals.
* Promote confidence, communication, wellbeing and engagement.
This role is centred on connection, trust and emotional safety rather than behaviour management or task completion.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
* Understands autism and PDA-informed practice.
* Is calm, patient and emotionally regulated.
* Can work in a low-demand, neuroaffirming way.
* Does not take rejection or avoidance personally.
* Can build trust gradually and respectfully.
* Is physically active and comfortable engaging in floor play, climbing, soft play and outdoor activities.
* Is able to work independently and use initiative.
* Has strong observation and reflective skills.
* Is comfortable receiving guidance from multidisciplinary professionals.
* Holds a driving licence and has access to a vehicle.
* Is a non-smoker and comfortable around dogs.
* Holds, or is willing to obtain, an Enhanced DBS check.
Desirable Experience
Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous:
* Supporting autistic children.
* PDA-informed practice.
* Children with significant anxiety.
* EOTAS, EBSA or alternative provision.
* Sensory-based approaches.
* Outdoor and community-based learning.
* Therapeutic or care-based roles.
* Working alongside therapists and multidisciplinary teams.
Lived experience of autism, ADHD, PDA or wider neurodivergence is highly valued.
Personal Qualities
The ideal candidate will be:
* Warm and approachable.
* Playful and engaging.
* Flexible and adaptable.
* Reliable and consistent.
* Reflective and open to learning.
* Non-judgemental and empathetic.
* Resilient and able to remain calm during challenging moments.
* Comfortable following the child's lead and adapting plans in the moment.
The Right Person
We are looking for someone who can become:
* A trusted adult.
* A safe person.
* A co-regulator.
* A play partner.
* A learning companion.
* A facilitator of meaningful experiences and community access.
Qualifications are welcome, but personal qualities, values, lived experience and the ability to build genuine relationships are just as important.
If you believe that connection, trust and emotional safety are the foundations of learning, we would love to hear from you.
Integra Education is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring disclosure. Integra People promote equal opportunities and diversity for employees, workers, and applicants. We follow GDPR laws to ensure the protection and privacy of your data-