Pastoral Mentor

**JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATION**

**Academy**:Darwen Vale High School
**Job Title**: Pastoral Mentor (non-teaching)

**Reporting to**:Head of Year

**Contract Basis **SCP 11 - £19,437 (£22,129 FTE)

37hrs per week, Term Time plus 2 weeks (including 5 INSET days) 40 weeks - 12 months contract initially.

**Overall Purpose of the Role**:

- To strategically plan for the development of the following areas demonstrating impact of these on the learning, progress and personal development of pupils:

- Pastoral Mentors will be working with one specific year group in school supporting **all** students and removing barriers to learning that will allow them to succeed in school academically and socially.
- As a Pastoral Mentor, you'll work closely with students who are struggling with social, emotional or behavioural problems that affect their ability to learn. You'll work alongside teachers and other staff, figuring out the needs of learners who require help and how to overcome barriers that are preventing them from achieving their full potential.
- You'll work with a range of learners, but give priority to those who need the most help, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantages.
- You work will cover a variety of issues, ranging from punctuality, absence, challenging behaviour and abuse, to working with able and gifted learners who are experiencing difficulties.

**Key Duties**:
As a Pastoral Mentor you'll typically need to:

- Have a strong and visible presence around school at all times, particularly at the start of the school day/break time/lesson transitions/lunchtime/end of the school day
- liaise with staff to identify learners who would benefit from mentoring and support
- discuss with Head of Year and other key staff to help decide how identified needs will be best addressed
- implement strategies and support learners in self-esteem and confidence-building activities

**JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATION**
- listen to learners and help them resolve a range of issues that are creating barriers to their learning
- draw up agreed action plans with learners, outlining the aims of the mentoring, and monitor their progress
- monitor attendance and punctuality of learners
- liaise with parents/carers at home to discuss issues, and help to run group sessions and workshops for parents at school
- advise parents on behaviour strategies and provide support and guidance for them.
- work with teachers and relevant external agencies and professionals, such as educational psychologists, the police and social services to contribute to a support plan for child and family.
- help set up breakfast and after-school clubs and run extracurricular activities, such as homework clubs, reading clubs, sports, music and dance, during lunchtimes or as out-of-school activities
- check in regularly with key students to ensure they are prepared and ready to learn
- support the provision of group activities such as anger management classes
- support Head of Year in devising minute by minute plans and making sure they are followed
- maintain accurate records (including Class Charts and CPOMS) and prepare written reports including the use of SNAP and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
- help to secure funding to support learners' additional educational needs and support the implementation of the Universal Graduated Response
- manage your own professional development through undertaking relevant training and sharing best practice with other learning mentors
- help with transition activities for learners moving to secondary schools or on to further education
- engage students in relevant community-based activities or initiatives
- administer First Aid

**Other Responsibilities**

Operating at all times within the stated policies and practices of **Darwen Vale High**
**School** and the wider Trust.

Abiding by and practicing the Aldridge Education Operating norms:

- We are Aldridge Education
- The standard is excellence
- We champion equality
- We’re in the work together
- We behave with integrity
- We lead by example
- We use time well

**JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATION**

**Equal Opportunities**
- To know and adhere to the **Darwen Vale High School** equal opportunities policy and equalities legislation and implement in relation to job responsibilities in employment and service delivery.

**Health and Safety**
- To take reasonable care for his/her own health and safety and any other person(s) who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work, in accordance with the Health & Safety legislation.
- To co-operate with the **Darwen Vale High School** insofar as is necessary to enable it to comply with its duties under relevant health and safety legislation.

**Safeguarding of Children Young people and Vulnerable Adults**

To be aware of and work in accordance with the **Darwen Vale High School** safeguarding child protection policies and procedures in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnera