Introduction
Learning mentors help people who are facing barriers to learning
and enable them to achieve their full potential. They may
work with adults who need support with skills for life or they may
identify and work with children and teenagers at risk of dropping
out of school. They may also work with children and adults
who have learning or physical disabilities.
Work Environment
Learning mentors often work in primary or secondary schools. T hey
may also spend time visiting clients and their families in their
homes. Working hours are varied, mostly within school
hours. Some learning mentors may work a full-time 37 hour
week, whilst others might work part-time or in a job share
arrangement. Sometimes learning mentors need to work in the
evening, for instance to visit parents who work during the day.
Daily Activities
Learning mentors support teachers and pastoral staff in schools to
help children overcome barriers to learning and to achieve their
full potential. They work closely with teachers, classroom
assistants, special needs assistants and classroom volunteers to
identify children who are making less progress than their
potential. They then help teachers to develop action plans to meet
learning goals and support the children to help them achieve these
goals.
Learning mentors may work with children in a one-to-one
relationship, or with small groups. Most of their work
involves helping children progress in the classroom or other school
activities, e.g. lunchtimes or outings. They may provide
support with truancy/absence, in the playground or developing
social skills. They also keep in contact with children's
families or carers to try and get support and involvement.
Learning mentors liaise and share information with a number of
different organisations, council departments and individuals.
They may refer children to social and youth services, education
welfare services, probation and careers services, out of school
study support and business and community voluntary mentors.
Some learning mentors work with children who have disabilities,
for example, assisting young people with hearing difficulties by
helping them understand and use sign language. Sometimes
learning mentors may work with adults supporting them with basic
literacy and numeracy skills.
Skills & Interests
Learning mentors need to be:
- good at forming relationships with a wide range of individuals
and organisations;
- able to gain the confidence of children, schools and people in
the community and business;
- excellent listeners;
- good negotiators;
- good at planning and managing activities;
- knowledgeable about the issues that affect a child's
development.
Entry Requirements
A learning mentor will need good numeracy and literacy and so will
normally be expected to have GSCEs/S Grades (A*-C/1-3) or
equivalent in English and maths. They will also often be expected
to have previous experience of working with children and young
people. In some cases they may be required to have
qualifications in social care or education. However they may
also be able to work towards N/SVQs in Care, Early Years Care or
Learning Development and Support Services whilst employed.
When working with those with disabilities it may be necessary to
have particular specialist knowledge relating to people's needs,
for example, sign language.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There may be opportunities to progress to a number of other
related roles such as teaching assistant, special needs assistant
or care assistant. With additional training and
qualifications there may be routes into teaching, speech and
language therapy, youth work or social work.
Further Information & Services
Action on Hearing Loss www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Department for Education www.education.gov.uk
Disability Wales www.disabilitywales.org/
Education jobs www.eteach.com
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
Lifelong Learning UK www.lifelonglearning.co.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.