Learning mentors are employed in primary and secondary schools and in colleges. They work with pupils of all abilities who need help to overcome difficulties that are getting in the way of their learning.

Examples of this include pupils who:

• have a poor record of attendance
• lack self-confidence, self-esteem or motivation
• are falling behind with their work
• are not achieving their full potential
• have behaviour or emotional difficulties
• have difficulty settling into school and making relationships with other pupils or staff
• are dealing with personal crises such as bereavement, bullying, trouble with the police or difficulties at home.

Learning mentors usually work with pupils on a one to one basis outside the classroom, but sometimes also provide:

• group activities such as anger-management sessions
• observation and support in the classroom
• breakfast, after-school and homework clubs
• lunch-time and after school activities such as sports.

Their work includes:

• identifying what is getting in the way of pupils' learning and developing action plans to do something about it
• developing one to one mentoring relationships with pupils
• visiting parents at home to discuss issues and concerns and advise them on strategies for dealing with these
• monitoring and reporting on the progress of action plans
• working closely with teachers and other professionals, such as social workers, educational psychologists, education welfare officers and Connexions Personal Advisers.

For further details on the learning mentor role, please see the Department for Education and Skills website listed in Further Information.

Hours and Environment

Learning mentors work mostly during school hours. They sometimes need to work in the evenings, for example to visit parents who work during the day or to run out-of school activities. Some mentors work 37 hours a week, but part-time work and job share are sometimes available.

Skills and Interests

As a learning mentor you should:

• be able to realate to children and young people
• have good communication and listening skills
• be non-judgmental and able to gain trust and respect from pupils and parents
• have a confident and positive outlook
• be able to analyse problems and be flexible and creative in solving them
• be able to work as part of a team and network with others
• understand children's development
• be good at planning and organising your work.

Entry

Local education authorities (LEAs) and schools vary in their exact requirements, but as a minimum you will need:

• a good standard general education, especially literacy and numeracy - you are likely to need GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) or equivalent qualifications in English and maths
• experience of working with children or young people
• clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Some learning mentors have backgrounds in areas such as:

• teaching
• learning support
• social work
• educational welfare
• youth work
• careers
• counselling. 

This is not always essential, but some employers will expect you have a qualification or experience in an area such as those listed.

It is also useful to have experience of mentoring, either as a mentor or a mentee. You can get this by joining a volunteer mentoring scheme. The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation website has details. Please see the Further Information section for a link to the website.

Training

As a new learning mentor you will be offered the five day National Learning Mentor Induction Training Programme, and will probably attend an induction programme in your school.

There will also be opportunities for further in-service training and for working towards NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Learning, Development and Support Services. These NVQs include three specialist options for educational welfare officers, learning mentors and support workers. Some courses may be described as Learning Mentor NVQs. NVQ level 4 is normally completed by learning mentor coordinators.

You could also do higher education qualifications such as the foundation degree in Supporting Learning and Teaching, and gain accreditation up to postgraduate level for related work and study.

Some learning mentors do training in aspects of the work such as counselling skills.

Opportunities

Vacancies may be advertised in local newspapers, jobcentres, in local authority job bulletins, which are available in libraries and other public offices and on the recruitment website for local government www.LGjobs.com

Learning mentors may be able to progress to becoming lead learning mentors and learning mentor coordinators.

Some learning mentors do further training and qualifications and move into other roles such as teaching, speech and language therapy and social work.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries likely to range from around £12,000 to around £20,000 a year.

There is no standard salary. Salary levels vary according to the Local Education Authority, the geographical region, educational qualifications and the amount of responsibility.

Further information

First Floor
Charles House
Albert Street
Eccles
M30 0PW
Tel: 0161 787 8600 Kimberley House
47 Vaughan Way
Leicester
LE1 4SG
Tel: 0116 251 7979