The role of a learning mentor is crucial in supporting children and young people who face social, emotional, or behavioral challenges that impact their learning. As a learning mentor, you'll work closely with teachers and other staff to identify the needs of learners who require help and plan how to support them. Here are some key aspects of the role:
- Support and Guidance: Learning mentors offer support, motivation, and guidance to pupils, including gifted and talented learners, helping them overcome barriers that hinder their full potential. These barriers can include issues like abuse, challenging behavior, emotional struggles, lack of confidence, mental health concerns, and persistent absence or truancy.
- Individualized Approach: You might work with children or young people on a one-to-one basis or in small or large groups. Priority is given to pupils who need the most help, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantages. Although you'll primarily be based in educational settings (such as primary and secondary schools and further education colleges), your role extends to families and the wider community.
- Responsibilities:
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Identify Learners: Collaborate with staff to identify learners who would benefit from mentoring.
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Action Plans: Discuss and decide how identified needs will be addressed.
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Self-Esteem and Confidence Building: Support learners in self-esteem and confidence-building activities.
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Underperforming Learners: Assist learners who are underperforming in their subjects, either individually outside the classroom or within lessons.
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Attendance Monitoring: Monitor attendance and punctuality.
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Parental Involvement: Visit parents at home to discuss issues and run group sessions and workshops for parents at school.
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Networking and Collaboration: Network with other learning mentors, teachers, and relevant external agencies and professionals.
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Extra-Curricular Activities: Set up breakfast and after-school clubs, organize drop-in sessions, and run extra-curricular activities during lunchtimes or as out-of-school activities.
If you're interested in this role, it's essential to possess qualities like empathy, effective communication, and a commitment to promoting positive behavior and independence in learners. The opportunity to make a difference in a child's educational journey awaits!