Learning and Reintegration Mentor (LRM)

We have an exciting new opportunity within our school as Learning and Reintegration Mentors (LRMs) to join the support team at Harbour Vale. The aim of these 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.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school and discuss the roles further with our Headteacher, as these are new posts, and the job description may not fully capture the range of responsibilities.

Should you wish to arrange a visit to view the school, please do not hesitate to contact Naomi Molyneux, Office Manager at office@harbourvale.dorset.sch.uk  

Harbour Vale provides education for some of the most vulnerable students in Dorset and is therapeutic thinking in its approach. We are a child-centred learning community, prioritising the needs of our students. We seek dynamic, creative and resilient individuals for the role of Learning and Reintegration Mentor.

In our recent Ofsted report the inspectors said “relationships with staff, built on trust and respect, help pupils to gain the confidence, resilience and independence to succeed socially and emotionally.” This is at the heart of the work that we do, and the role of the learning and re-integration mentor will be key to further supporting this essential work to ensure that our students thrive at Harbour Vale. 

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.