SEN Teaching Assistant (Mentor)
9am – 3pm Monday to Friday (Term time only, 40 weeks)
Based at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
Salary: £18,000-£20,000 (Actual Salary)
ABOUT US
Oxford Creators is a non-profit Alternative Education Provision working in partnership with schools and the local authority to transform outcomes for young people. Since launching in 2022, we have supported hundreds of disadvantaged children across Oxfordshire through a nurturing, creative and highly personalised approach.
We work primarily with 11–16 year olds who are neurodiverse (including ADHD and Autism), experiencing anxiety or mental health challenges, or who are not attending mainstream school due to exclusion, reduced timetables or complex needs. Our goal is simple: to ensure every young person feels valued, included and inspired to become the best version of themselves.
Our bespoke programmes blend mentoring, wellbeing support, therapy, fitness, digital skills, and meaningful experiences such as podcasting, photography, volunteering and community trips. These opportunities help students build confidence, improve mental health and develop resilience.
We are now looking for a creative, empathetic and forward‑thinking mentor to join our friendly and supportive team based at Harwell Campus. If you want to improve opportunities for young people with Special Educational Needs or those excluded from school—and you're someone who thinks outside the box—this role may be perfect for you.
This role is being advertised as a SEN teaching assistant, however your job title at Oxford Creators would be 'Mentor'.
You will:
* Have experience working with vulnerable children or young people (education, AP, PRU, youth work, care, or similar).
* Have a commitment to safeguarding and continuous learning.
* Be calm, patient and confident in supporting with behaviour.
* Have experience in identifying and meeting the mental health needs of children.
* Be consistent, reliable and resilient.
* Have experience of working under pressure.
* Understand trauma and restorative approaches.
* Have a high level of enthusiasm and dedication to providing quality, therapeutic interventions and mental health support to children and their families.
* To have the skill to adapt and the flexibility to think on your feet due to the nature of your role.
Key responsibilities:
* Provide 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEN and SEMH needs. Adapting activities to meet diverse needs, including students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenging behaviour or special educational needs (SEN).
* Act as a positive and supportive role model and mentor, building strong and trusting relationships.
* Be able to think outside the box.
* Help pupils develop social skills, resilience, self-belief, and help them find their voice.
* Embedding emotional regulation strategies (zones of regulation) and wellbeing practices into all sessions to support behaviour, focus, and self-awareness. (Training will be provided).
* Building trusting relationships with students to inspire participation, motivation, and personal growth.
We offer:
* Supportive, positive and friendly team
* Unique learning opportunities in the education and neurodiversity sectors
* Termly Supervision
* CPD opportunities
We take Safer Recruitment seriously. All candidates must pass through our strict processes to ensure their suitability to work with children and young people before being considered to work with us.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £18,000.00-£20,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 30 per week
Work Location: In person