Your new school
Ripplevale School and College, is a thriving independent special school, for 170 students aged 6 to 25 years old, located in the historic town of Rochester. As part of the Ripplevale family of schools, we provide a holistic, child centred approach to meeting the needs of our students, most of whom have an Education and Health Care Plan. Identified needs may include ASC, dyslexia, speech, language and communication difficulties, DCD, sensory, and high levels of anxiety.
Your new role
As a Learning Mentor (Autism Specialist), you will deliver highly specialist, proactive support tailored to the unique needs of autistic pupils. Working closely with the SENCO and Lead Teacher, you will use advanced autism-specific knowledge to enhance curriculum access, promote independence, and create positive, structured learning experiences.
Your role will include:
* Identifying and responding to pupils' emerging needs, such as sensory overload, anxiety or communication challenges, using evidence-based strategies.
* Adapting and co-delivering curriculum content using approaches such as TEACCH, structured teaching, social stories, visual supports and communication systems (e.g., PECS, Makaton).
* Designing and leading personalised learning programmes aligned with EHCP/IEP targets, including small-group social skills and independence-building interventions.
* Tracking pupil progress, contributing to multi-agency reviews, and adjusting approaches to improve outcomes and reduce restrictive practices.
* Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, communication and wellbeing to build resilience and self-management over time.
* Working in partnership with families, teachers and external specialists to ensure consistent, holistic support.
* Contributing to staff training by sharing autism-specific strategies and best practice.
This is a dynamic, learner-centred role where you will have autonomy and the opportunity to make a profound impact on student progress and independence.
What you'll need to succeed
To thrive in this role, you will bring:
* Significant experience supporting autistic children or young people, ideally within specialist settings.
* Advanced knowledge of autism, including sensory processing, theory of mind differences, communication needs and executive functioning.
* Relevant autism-specific qualifications or training (e.g., NAS modules, PG Cert Autism, specialist SEND training).
* Confidence in working autonomously, making informed professional judgements and leading interventions.
* Strong communication, assessment and behaviour-support skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice.
Desirable attributes include experience leading groups or mentoring colleagues, and additional specialist certifications (e.g., Team Teach, Makaton, PECS).
If you are a passionate, skilled autism specialist who is driven to create meaningful, positive change for young people, we would love to hear from you.
Safeguarding recruitment statement
Ripplevale School Rochester is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants. Ripplevale School Rochester is required to conduct online searches about you as part of their shortlisting process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
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