Some key information
* Full time, all year-round position, we have one position that is 20 hours per week, term time only (this position is within the Statutory Virtual School, working with Children Looked After (CLA).
* Hybrid working model with a balance of home, locality and office working
* Based in a locality but with the expectation that casework is needs based and can be across Somerset.
* Permanent contract
* 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (for full time roles)
* £28,598 to £32,061 per annum (£13,414 to £15,038 for 20 hours per week, Term Time only - 39 weeks)
What will I be doing?
Are you ready to make a real difference in Somerset? Join us on a mission to transform lives As a learning mentor, you'll be a driving force in ensuring positive educational outcomes and creating opportunities for children and young people (CYP) with acute and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Your work will be at the heart of fostering engagement, removing barriers, and unlocking potential.
Learning Mentor Opportunities – Virtual School Team
We are currently recruiting Learning Mentors across several key phases within our Virtual School team:
If you would like more information about what the role will look like in each phase, please feel free to contact the managers listed below. They'll be happy to provide further details and answer any questions you may have.
* Early Identification – Supporting children from birth through to the end of Year 1.
* Transitions and Flexible Education – Working with children from Year 2 to Year 8, with a particular focus on leading support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
* Statutory Virtual School (Children Looked After) – Providing educational support for children aged 3 to 18 who are in care.
Please clearly indicate the phase you are applying for within your application form. We recommend including this information in your personal statement to support your application.
Here's what your role will involve:
* Collaborating for Success: take an active role in Team Around the Child (TAC) and Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings, work hand in hand with professionals and families to create powerful, personalised support plans that unlock every child's potential and ensure full participation in education.
* Championing Transitions: provide direct support for children and young people, guiding them through key transitions and helping them thrive.
* Innovating for Success: develop and implement innovative strategies to boost learning, attendance, and overall attainment.
* Monitoring Progress: keep detailed records on corporate systems, tracking attendance and children and young people's progress to ensure no one gets left behind. Regularly review to identify trends, celebrate achievements, and swiftly address any emerging concerns, making sure every CYP receives the right support at the right time.
* Overseeing CYP Support Packages Take the lead in coordinating and managing tailored support packages for children and young people not on roll of an education setting, ensuring the provision aligns to their unique needs and aspirations. From initial assessment to multi-agency collaboration, you'll oversee the delivery of high-quality interventions that promote stability, progress, and wellbeing.
* Partnering with Families Through Clear Communication Build trusting, collaborative relationships with families by maintaining open, honest, and empathetic communication. Actively listen to their insights, keep them informed at every stage, and work together to co-create support plans that reflect their child's unique strengths and needs. Your ability to communicate clearly and compassionately ensures families feel heard, valued, and empowered.
* Travel and Visits – Ability to travel across Somerset to visit children, young people and their families in a range of settings including, family homes, early years and education settings.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
We are committed to providing comprehensive training, guidance, and support to ensure you excel in this role. That said, having the following will really give you a head start:
* Insightful knowledge: a strong understanding of educational settings and the unique challenges faced by children and young people with acute and complex needs, across early years, statutory school age or post 16.
* Statutory expertise: familiarity with Children Looked After (CLA) and SEND statutory responsibilities.
* Intervention savvy: a solid grasp of tailored intervention strategies and support plans that address the academic, social, and emotional needs of children and young people.
* Hands-on-experience: previous work in early years, educational settings, SEND, Children's Social Care, or similar environments.
* Strong foundations: GCSE/Level 4 education including English and maths, along with at least NVQ level 4/5 qualifications (or equivalent).
We're proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there's anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What's in it for me?
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding. Working as part of a team we are passionate about the work we do to improve the lives of Children and Young People (CYP) in Somerset.
We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:
* We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
* Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
* Staff discounts in gyms.
* Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
* Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
* A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
* My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more
Anything else I should know?
The Salary for the Learning Mentor is Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061 per annum (£13,414 to £15,038 for 20 hours per week, Term Time only - 39 weeks).
If you would like more information about what the role will look like in each phase, please feel free to contact the managers listed below. They'll be happy to provide further details and answer any questions you may have.
* Early Identification – Rebecca Fisk -
* Transitions and Flexible Education – Sarah Stabback –
* Statutory Virtual School (CLA) – Elizabeth Fox -
Interviews will take place the week beginning of the 20th of October 2025.
If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can't wait to hear from you.
DBS information
In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.