Salary: Grade 9, Point 19: £9,907 per annum

Contract:   Permanent, 13 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

We have an exciting opportunity to join the support team at Harbour Vale as a Learning and Reintegration Mentor. The aim of this posts is to proactively support our students to transition successfully into Harbour Vale and to support their positive return to their homeschools or onto their next steps.

You will work to significantly increase pupil’s attendance and ensure that both pupils and families are guided and supported in accessing additional resources. Classroom assistance will be minimal as the roles are primarily pastoral, involving travel within the county to visit schools, community provision and vocational provision, as well as supporting pupils within their homes.

You will collaborate closely with our attendance and safeguarding team, teaching and support staff, mainstream schools and other professionals and stakeholders. Excellent communication skills are essential, along with the confidence and professionalism to effectively engage and challenge stakeholders when necessary. You will be expected to work to a high standard and have substantial experience in working with multi-agency teams to develop strategic plans that support each child’s educational journey. The successful candidate will be required to drive to other locations as part of their duties, including transporting students. A full driving licence and a suitable vehicle with valid business insurance are essential requirements for this role.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school and discuss the roles further with our Headteacher, as the job description may not fully capture the range of responsibilities. To arrange this, please contact Naomi Molyneux, Office Manager on office@harbourvale.dorset.sch.uk.  

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child.  It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis.  SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check.  The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.