Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor - Term Time Only + 4 Weeks (Maternity Cover

Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor
- Term Time Only + 4 Weeks (Maternity Cover)

Final date to receive applications: 11 August 2026

Department: Student Support Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term
- Full Time

Location: Middleton

Compensation: £30,150 per annum i.e £32,818 pro rata per annum

Are you passionate about supporting young people facing significant challenges to education, wellbeing and safety?

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Safeguarding and Wellbeing Mentor to join our Safeguarding and Wellbeing team on a maternity cover basis. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of learners who require targeted support to overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.

In this specialist role, you will work with a designated cohort of learners who have identified vulnerabilities or barriers to learning, attendance and progression. This may include learners experiencing safeguarding concerns, mental health difficulties, family challenges, social care involvement, attendance issues, behavioural concerns, housing instability, exploitation risks, or other circumstances impacting their ability to engage successfully in education.

As a key member of the Safeguarding and Wellbeing team, you will deliver targeted interventions, coordinate support plans and act as a trusted professional for learners, families and curriculum staff. You will also respond to safeguarding and wellbeing referrals from across the wider college, working closely with Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, curriculum teams and external agencies to ensure concerns are identified, assessed and addressed appropriately.

The role combines frontline safeguarding practice, early help and pastoral support. You will be responsible for managing a caseload of vulnerable learners, contributing to multi‑agency planning, supporting attendance and engagement, undertaking risk assessments where required, and ensuring that accurate, timely records are maintained.

A trauma‑informed approach sits at the heart of our work. We recognise that many young people have experienced adversity and require consistent, relational support to feel safe, valued and able to succeed. You will use strength‑based practice to build positive relationships, reduce barriers to participation and help learners develop resilience, confidence and independence.

We are looking for an individual with experience of working with young people who face complex challenges, alongside a strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and early help. You will be confident working in partnership with families, curriculum staff, local authorities and external professionals, whilst maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding and learner welfare.

To provide Statutory, pastoral and welfare responsibilities for a designated cohort of learners in a specific curriculum area. This includes monitoring attendance and intervening in cases of persistent absence, children missing education. As a key member of the Safeguarding and Welfare team, you will provide front line and early help support for learners facing a wide range of barriers to education.

These barriers may include absences, home issues, mental health challenges, crises, or the need for critical support.

Responsibilities also involve identifying and monitoring vulnerable and 'at risk' learners within your remit. You will work closely with cross‑college teams to ensure that these learners are retained by the college, maintaining detailed records of your interventions and support provided. Additionally, you will serve as the single point of contact for learners within your identified cohort and their parents/carers and staff, ensuring effective communication and coordinated support for all parties involved.

• To provide Early Help support for both the college and Local Authority as soon as issues arise. This includes assistance with safeguarding, pastoral care, social and welfare needs, wellbeing, and health care, all aimed at identifying and removing barriers to accessing education.
• To lead on Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children (LAC), Children with a…