Therapeutic Learning Mentor / Instructor

Shorefields; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider in Chelmsford is seeking a Therapeutic Learning Mentor to support children with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The ideal candidate will engage in relationship-building, focusing on creating safe learning environments. This full-time position is perfect for someone looking to make a meaningful impact while fostering students' confidence in their academic abilities. Starting salary ranges from £25,000 to £35,000.

Benefits

Training and mentoring

Supportive values-led team

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Comfortable working with SEMH and trauma.
• Ability to stay calm around distressed behaviour.
• Good working knowledge of Maths and English.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting relationships with children.
• Plan and deliver engaging learning sessions.
• Use trauma-informed approaches.
• Collaborate with therapeutic team and teachers.
• Document interactions and communicate professionally.

Skills

Relationship-building

Patience

Compassion

Understanding SEMH needs

Job description

Therapeutic Learning Mentor / Instructor

Job Ref No. ECC380682-10S Position Type: Teaching/Child Support Pay Range: £25,000 to £35,000

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 01/03/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: to be determined

Hatfield Wick Education is a highly therapeutic alternative provision for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, trauma backgrounds and neurodiversities.

Everything we do is guided by our CARES 360 Framework:Compassion, Autonomy, Respect, Empathy and Support.

Our aim is to create calm, safe, relational spaces where young people can reconnect with learning, rebuild trust in adults and move towards meaningful futures.

About the role
We are looking for Therapeutic Learning Mentors / Instructors who can combine relationship-building with learning support. You do not need to be a qualified teacher (QTS is welcome but not essential).

You don't need to be a teacher to help a young person learn.
If you're confident with everyday maths and English - balancing a budget, using spreadsheets, writing clear emails or reports - and you care about young people who've had a hard time in school, we can support you to grow into a Therapeutic Learning Mentor.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Wants their work to matter
• Enjoys explaining things patiently to others
• Can stay compassionate but boundaried with young people who've had a tough time in education
• Feels aligned with our CARES 360 values: Compassion, Autonomy, Respect, Empathy and Support

You’ll receive training, mentoring and ready-made resources so you can focus on what matters most: building safe, trusting relationships and helping our students rebuild their confidence with maths and English at a pace that works for them.

You will work with small groups and 1:1, helping children and young people who may:

• Have experienced trauma, loss or adverse childhood experiences
• Present with SEMH needs, anxiety and school-based avoidance
• Have had disrupted or negative experiences of mainstream education
• Your job is to engage them in learning through connection first, curriculum second - always underpinned by the CARES 360 values.

Key responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting relationships with children and young people who may be highly anxious, guarded or avoidant of education
• Plan and deliver engaging, practical learning sessions (academic, creative, vocational or life-skills focused - depending on your strengths)
• Support emotional regulation using trauma-informed, relational approaches rather than behaviourist "sanctions and rewards"
• Work closely with our therapeutic team and specialist teachers to follow One Plans and EHCP outcomes
• Use therapeutic language, co-regulation and de-escalation strategies in every interaction
• Contribute to a calm, predictable environment that reflects the CARES 360 framework in day-to-day practice
• Keep clear records and communicate professionally with colleagues and, where appropriate, families and external professionals.

About you

You don't have to come from a traditional school background, but you do need to be:

• Deeply relational, patient and boundaried
• Able to stay calm and regulated around distressed or challenging behaviour
• Comfortable working with SEMH, trauma and neurodiversity
• Willing to work in a highly therapeutic, non-punitive environment
• Open to reflective practice, supervision and ongoing CPD
• Have a good working knowledge of Maths and English
• Perhaps you have been working in a totally unrelated sector and are looking for a new challenge? Maybe you have a good working knowledge of Maths and English and want to work in an area that allows you to use your relational and people skills alongside your area of interest or past work experience.

We're particularly interested in people with backgrounds such as:

• Youth work / mentoring
• Therapeutic residential care
• Admin, finance, retail, trades, hospitality, customer service
• Counselling / mental health support
• Creative arts, outdoor education, sport, vocational skills, or other practical disciplines
• Teaching assistants / learning mentors from SEMH, PRU or alternative provision settings
• Strong alignment with the CARES 360 values (Compassion, Autonomy, Respect, Empathy, Support)
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Experience in SEMH / AP / PRU / specialist provision
• Understanding of trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
• Knowledge of autism / ADHD / other neurodiversities in education

What we offer

• A genuinely therapeutic environment with a multi-disciplinary team
• Regular supervision and CPD linked to CARES 360, trauma, attachment and SEMH
• The chance to shape programmes around your strengths (e.g. arts, outdoor learning, life-skills, vocational pathways)
• A supportive, values-led team who care deeply about staff wellbeing as well as student wellbeing

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short supporting statement (or a 2-3 minute video) explaining:

• Why you want to work in a therapeutic alternative provision
• How you embody the CARES 360 values in your work with young people
• What you feel you can bring to Hatfield Wick Education and our children and Young people

Hatfield Wick Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, references, and verification of qualifications.

Hatfield Wick Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Any personal data provided will be processed in line with our Privacy Notice and used solely for recruitment purposes.

Information about the School

Hatfield Wick Education is an Accredited Alternative Education Provider for Essex that delivers education and therapeutic services for children and young people who cannot access learning in a mainstream setting.

We are commissioned by the Local Authority, schools, and families to provide educational and therapeutic support to children and young people with a diverse range of special educational needs, including:

• Anxiety / ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
• Asperger’s
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
• ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
• Sensory Processing Disorder (auditory, visual, sensory, memory)
• Attachment Disorder (including those associated with adoption & fostering)
• Separation Anxiety Disorder

Our overarching goal is to identify challenges, remove obstacles and build strategies to help children and young people reach, maintain, and exceed their personal goals and boost their confidence and self-esteem. By doing this, they can return to mainstream education and continue to thrive.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Vicky Crimmins
Hatfield Wick Education, Whitelands Business Centres
Terling Road, Hatfield Peverel
Essex, CM3 2AG Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]