Learning mentor
Learning mentors complement the role of school teachers by working with pupils who are experiencing difficulties in learning arising from social exclusion, bullying, abuse, absence, punctuality and poor behaviour.
Learning mentoring is a new government-funded profession with all mentors employed on fixed term contracts that are consequently subject to changes in government policy.
Learning mentors work on a group or one-to-one basis with children of all ages.
Typical responsibilities include:
* working with school staff to select pupils for mentoring
* discussing the aims of mentoring with pupils
* supporting under-performing pupils outside of the classroom
* agreeing and writing action plans
* making home visits to talk to parents about issues and to offer advice about strategies to deal with problems
* liaising with schools, teachers, social workers and educational psychologists and making referrals where appropriate
* organising and running drop-in sessions and music and sports events for pupils
* aiding pupils with the transition to secondary education
* helping pupils to improve confidence and self-esteem by listening to them and devising appropriate strategies.
Funding for their posts comes from central government via the 'EiC package for school improvement'.
Typical employers of learning mentors
Learning mentors work for UK primary and secondary schools (and increasingly colleges) and as such are answerable to school and college heads for their day-to-day work.
Prior mentoring experience is essential, as is experience gained working with young people. Voluntary mentoring schemes are organised by many universities and some local authorities. Paid job vacancies are advertised in newspapers, via the internet and in local authority jobs bulletins.
Key skills for learning mentors
* maturity
* interpersonal skills
* listening skills
* organisational skills
* problem-solving skills...