Therapeutic Learning Mentor & Instructor

Shorefields; Hatfield Peverel; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated education provider in Hatfield Peverel is looking for a Therapeutic Learning Mentor / Instructor to support children facing educational challenges. This role emphasizes relationship-building over traditional teaching, offering training and resources to help young people reconnect with their education. Ideal candidates are patient and compassionate individuals, eager to work in a therapeutic environment. You will help students rebuild their confidence with practical learning sessions, ensuring their emotional needs are met while encouraging academic progress.

Benefits

Regular supervision and CPD linked to CARES 360

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs, trauma, or neurodiversities.
• Ability to engage and build trust with young people.
• Willingness to work in a therapeutic, non-punitive environment.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Plan and deliver engaging learning sessions.
• Support emotional regulation using trauma-informed approaches.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Patience

Understanding of SEMH

Ability to build relationships

Education

Working knowledge of Maths and English

Job description

Therapeutic Learning Mentor / Instructor

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

Application Close: 30/03/2026 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 ourCARES 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 ourCARES 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 theCARES 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 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 theCARES 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 toCARES 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 theCARES 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.

Adam Smyth
2 Whitelands Business Centre
Terling Road
Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford
Essex, CM3 2AG
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]