Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor - Apprentices
Application Deadline: 10 October 2025
Department: Student Support
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Middleton
Compensation: £27,024.02 per annum i.e £31,256.10 pro rata per annum
As our apprenticeship provision continues to grow, we’re excited to introduce a new opportunity for a Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor dedicated to supporting apprentices. This role sits at the heart of our commitment to providing essential statutory, pastoral, and welfare support to learners—both in college and in the workplace.
This role sits within our Safeguarding and Wellbeing Team and it is the key point of contact for apprentices and work-based assessors when challenges arise that may affect a learner’s progress—such as mental health concerns, issues at home, or other barriers whilst in employment. You’ll work closely with the Apprenticeship Team, learners, families, employers, and external professionals to ensure every young person receives the support they need to thrive.
This role has been created in direct response to the evolving needs of young people today. It’s about more than just offering support—it’s about helping learners overcome personal and professional obstacles so they can achieve their full potential.
We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a compassionate and proactive approach, and the ability to work collaboratively with learners, parents/carers, employers, and external agencies, with a full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle. Your ability to build trust and take initiative will be key to making a lasting impact.
If you’re passionate about supporting young people and want to be part of a dynamic and caring team, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
* To provide Statutory, pastoral and welfare responsibilities for a designated cohort of learners in a specific curriculum area. This includes monitoring attendance and intervening in cases of persistent absence, children missing education.
* As a key member of the Safeguarding and Welfare team, you will provide front line and early help support for learners facing a wide range of barriers to education.
* Responsibilities also involve identifying and monitoring vulnerable and 'at risk' learners within your remit.
* You will work closely with cross-college teams to ensure that these learners are retained by the college, maintaining detailed records of your interventions and support provided.
* Additionally, you will serve as the single point of contact for learners, parents, and staff, ensuring effective communication and support for all parties involved.
* To provide Early Help support for both the college and Local Authority as soon as issues arise.
* To lead on Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children (LAC), Children with a Social Worker, children working with Youth Justice in collaboration with Social Services.
* Provide comprehensive support for Care Experienced students, including participation in LAC Reviews, Care Planning, Placement Planning Meetings, and Care Leavings.
* To assist the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Lead with managing a caseload of Child in Need Plans, ensuring compliance with statutory and legal requirements.
* Attendance – work closely with Curriculum Managers to improving attendance, meetings with parents and external agencies regarding attendance.
* Implement the positive behaviour policy by managing the incident process and outcomes, including Formal panels and reports.
* Be the designated point of contact for parents and carers, fostering and maintaining positive, supportive relationships to help learners and families overcome barriers to education.
* To work closely with curriculum teams to support at risk and vulnerable learners by attending Support planning meetings, Student improvement meetings and Formal hearings where relevant.
* Support the implementation of the college’s Mental Health Strategy by serving as the first point of contact for learners experiencing poor mental health.
* To promote and safeguard the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults at the college and refer/signpost to external agencies where appropriate.
* Developing a positive and supportive connection with learners, create an atmosphere of trust and support, prioritising the safeguarding and wellbeing of all students.
* Facilitate the successful transition of learners by coordinating with secondary schools, arranging transition visits, and providing support during college interviews.
* Assist in the Enrolment process by capturing learner wellbeing and welfare information, ensuring that accurate parent contact details are recorded.
* Support in College induction program to ensure learners are informed of where to seek help and what support is available and know how to keep themselves safe.
* Maintain accurate records of interventions, ensuring learners vulnerabilities and support needs are recorded and highlighted.
* To conduct home visits where there is an attendance/welfare/safety concern.
* To undertake training and CPD as required for the role, including a minimum of one Safeguarding Board Training session per year.
* Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications
* Level 2 or GCSE 4 or above in English and Maths.
* Educated to Level 3/A Level or above (evidence of ongoing industry CPD considered).
* Full UK driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
* Mental Health First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training.
Desirable Criteria
* Teaching qualification e.g. Level 3 Cert of Education and Training (PTLLS).
* First Aid qualification or willingness to obtain.
Experience
* Experience of working with 16-18-year old’s in an education setting.
* Experience of supporting learners and families with safeguarding issues inc. CIN, LAC, EHA.
* Experience of dealing with behaviour management / challenging learner behaviour.
* Experience and understanding of attendance management.
* Experience of working with cross college teams in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience of working with young people in a pastoral and wellbeing setting.
* Experience of dealing with safeguarding and mental health concerns.
* To have empathy with young people, approachable but with the confidence to assert authority when required.
* Experience of effective team working and promoting relationships between staff, students and the community.
* Experience of working under pressure, including handling difficult situations on your own and de-escalating them.
* Experience of working with outside agencies such as safeguarding professional, schools, social workers, Youth Justice Team, Positive Steps, Parents and Key Workers.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience of the Education Inspection framework.
* Experience of the Prevent Strategy.
Specialist Knowledge
* Good working knowledge of safeguarding and child protection, Child in need and Early help Processes.
* Specific knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by young people that impact on their wellbeing, safety and mental health.
* Understanding a Trauma-informed approach.
* Good understanding of mental health issues and how they impact on learners.
* Committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
* Able to interact positively with young people and adults.
* Committed to the principles of equality and diversity.
* Ability to communicate, negotiate and work effectively with internal and external partners.
* Ability to work unsupervised and manager own time and priorities; be well organized and self-motivated.
* To have flexibility and willing to try out new ideas.
* Ability to keep and evaluate records and statistical data.
IT Skills
* Good working knowledge of IT and digital safeguarding systems.
* Basic know of Microsoft Office Programs.
* Understanding of college systems.
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