Work Location: Torquay
Post Start Date: 1st September 2026
Acorn Alternative Provision is a charity working with young people aged 11-16 who are experiencing barriers that prevent them from succeeding in mainstream school.
We are seeking to appoint a Learning Mentor for our Torbay Centre, who will bring a blend of relational and learning support skills, along with the values of a living and active Christian faith, to help us deliver excellent alternative education.
Who are Acorn Alternative Provision?
Exclusion from school is a growing problem across the UK. Persistent disruptive behaviour is the most recorded reason for exclusion, but in many cases, there are underlying factors that have been or are traumatic and have played a significant part in the story. These include poverty; unsafe family environment; poor mental health; special educational needs and gaps in prior learning. In the long-term, and without intervention or effective support, excluded pupils are more likely to become unemployed and are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system. At Acorn Alternative Provision we work in partnership with local churches to address the underlying issues that have led to young people facing exclusion or disengagement from school. We rebuild foundations and restore hope by delivering trauma-informed educational programmes, and by providing wrap-around support to young people and families.
About the role
The successful applicant will:
1. Be able to engage young people on a one-to-one and small-group basis.
2. Possess proven skills and strategies for engaging effectively with challenging young people in achieving recognisable outcomes.
3. Have an understanding of special educational needs including social, emotional, and mental health needs, how they might present in young people and helpful approaches.
4. Possess a positive and therapeutic approach to managing young people’s behaviour.
5. Understand broad issues impacting a young person’s ability to participate in learning and self-improvement.
6. Be able to work as part of a team and deliver outcomes as directed by a senior member of staff.
7. Have highly effective personal leadership and ability to act as a role model for young people.
In this role you will:
8. Work with other team members to plan, resource, and deliver programmes for young people, including after-school activities.
9. Lead on identifying young people’s individual personal development needs and feeding this information into Individual Learning Plans
10. Plan and deliver therapeutic and personal development sessions and provide small group and 1-1 mentoring to enhance the young people’s learning experience
11. Assist in team teaching and supporting in lessons led by other staff
12. Foster and develop relationships with parents or carers, encouraging active involvement with their child’s programme, and linking them with the support the church can offer.
13. Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons who use the Centre.
If you are passionate about helping disadvantaged young people grow and overcome barriers and are excited about the difference the Church can make, this could be the job for you.
This role would suit an existing youth worker or someone working in education in a teaching, learning support, or behaviour support role.
For full details of the role, please read the Job Description and Person Specification which can be found on .
If you would like to apply, please fill in our online application form which can be found .
Closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 22nd May 2026.