In2School Youth Mentor

Provide nurturing support to a caseload of students through their IN2School journey.  Flexibility is essential - evening and weekend work expected on occasions, as well as occasional local travel. This role will deliver support to children and young people aged 7-18 who are showing early signs of disengagement from education or are at the risk of dropping out or have been absent from education or on a partial school timetable due to severe anxieties and need support to re-engage and integrate into full time education. The post holder will be a strong communicator who is able to engage provide age-appropriate interventions.

Job Summary 

An  IN2School Youth Mentor is committed to academic and personal excellence for every student.  They work collaboratively with students, families, school staff, and community service providers to provide interventions designed to improve engagement with and success in school.  These interventions focus on building safe relationships of trust with the pupil and their families, stabilising attendance, promoting engagement with the school community, developing effective organisational and academic skills, and strengthening coping, self-regulation, problem solving and self-advocacy skills. They are responsible for collecting, documenting and analysing data for the pupils on their caseloads.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Implement core interventions (Assess & Attach) as per the Odyssey In2School programme guidance:

▪ Work to establish relationships with students and families that are based on mutual trust and open communication, and focused on promoting student success in school. 

▪ Systematically monitor student attendance, behaviour and programme performance on at least a weekly basis.

▪ To support pupils on a 1:1 basis and either support or deliver lessons as required under the guidance of the programme’s teaching team. 

▪ Document student engagement data as a tool to assess student needs, design personalised interventions, and track progress.

▪ Ensure that all pupil assessments are completed in the stipulated timeline by the Odyssey In2School programme and that all pupils are working to the targets identified in the Pupil Support Plan.

▪ Provide coaching, problem solving support, and individualised skill-building interventions to students during weekly mentoring meetings.

▪ Facilitate student access to and active participation in school-related activities and events, and promote student identity as learners.

▪ Communicate regularly with families and foster active participation with their child’s education.  Facilitate communication and problem solving between the student/family and school staff.

▪ Maintain clear and accurate documentation of services in accordance with Odyssey In2School policies and procedures.

▪ Monitor effectiveness of interventions through self-assessment and discussion in supervision meetings.

2. Collaborate with school staff & multi-agency partners:

▪ Communicate regularly with school staff and multi-agency partners involved with the child to gather and share information about pupil’s progress and facilitate efforts to keep them engaged in school. 

▪ Take on the lead role within the multi-agency team around the child to be the central point of contact for all agencies and to ensure that the multi-agency team are kept updated about the progress and / or barriers in line with the Odyssey IN2School programme objectives.

▪ Refer pupils and families to appropriate school-based and community resources and follow up to support linkage as needed.

▪ Provide summary reports as required and keep a daily support log for all pupils on their caseload.

▪ Provide responsive services to assist in addressing crisis and emerging personal, situational and social/behavioural issues for caseload students. Attend varied school-based meetings such as pupil progress meetings, student planning and problem-solving meetings, restorative meetings, and IEP meetings.

▪ Ensure that all/ any safeguarding matters are reported as per the policies and procedures of the Odyssey IN2School programme and all necessary reports and documents are completed in a timely manner. 

3. Promote a learning climate and culture conducive to pupil engagement and educational excellence:

▪ Ensure that the re-engagement interventions and learning approach is conducive to the pupil’s profile and needs. Assess and adapt this as often as required so that there is a flexible approach that is personalised but at the same time has clear and high expectations for each pupil. 

▪ To undertake triage and assessments as required and create /maintain written dynamic risk assessments based on pupils’ varying needs.

▪ Attend staff meetings and participate in professional development trainings as required.

▪ Comply with all policies and procedures that impact education and school-based services including safeguarding, child protection and other mandatory programme policies.

▪ Utilize the Odyssey IN2School guidance and practices related to student problem solving and de-escalation, and follow the programme’s pupil concern and behaviour management procedures.

▪ Participate in the process of establishing measurable outcomes for interventions and evaluating intervention effectiveness.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the post holder will be required to undertake any other additional duties as and when required/directed by your manager. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of the changing service requirements and any changes will be discussed with the post holder. 

Person Specification: Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential

Qualification

a) Professional qualification in health/social/counselling/youth and community care, early years education.

Or

b) Demonstrable experience of working with pupils at risk of exclusion and / or with SEMH/ASD additional needs, in an education setting (special school / alternative education setting experience preferred)

Experience

c) Experience of working with young people who are school refusing, at risk of exclusion or showing early signs of disengagement 

d) An absolute commitment to the pupils on their caseload and having an approach of ‘we are in this together’ 

e) Experience of providing advice and information, brief or structured interventions

f) Experience in delivering / supporting accredited qualifications 

g) Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and best practice in education and be professionally curious

h) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in spoken and written English

i) Willing to work flexibly, to include some evenings and weekends 

j) Demonstrable ability to be sensitive to the needs of others; to empathically listen and respond appropriately to pupils and families

k) Ability to build ethical and professional boundaries and maintain confidentiality at all times

l) Ability to clearly and accurately complete reports, analyse data and implement systems to record and monitor pupil progress

m) Strong literacy, numeracy & IT skills

n) Ability to work effectively as part of a team 

o) Commitment to ongoing professional development

Desirable

p) Experience or qualification in Forest schools/Outdoor education (Sailing, Kayaking, Climbing, Cycling, Caving Etc.)

q) Qualification and/or experience in psychological therapies and/or Mental Health