SEND Learning Support Mentor

Are you looking for a rewarding role where you can genuinely make a difference in young people’s lives?

Protocol Education is currently recruiting SEND Learning Support Assistants and Mentors to support specialist schools across South Essex, including Benfleet, Basildon, Wickford and Southend-on-Sea.

These full-time roles involve supporting pupils with a range of additional needs, including ASD, MLD, SLD, SEMH and PMLD. You will play a key role in helping students access learning, build confidence and independence, and feel safe and supported throughout the school day.

Candidates may come from backgrounds such as healthcare, social care, residential support, youth work, sports coaching, or may have personal experience supporting individuals with SEND. Previous school-based experience is not essential — schools value empathy, reliability, resilience, and a proactive attitude. You should also feel comfortable supporting with personal care where required.

Role Details:

Full-time, Monday to Friday
Typical hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Long-term opportunities with potential for permanent placements
Opportunities available across South Essex including Benfleet, Basildon, Wickford and Southend

Ideal Candidate:

Able to build positive and trusting relationships with pupils
Patient, adaptable and nurturing in their approach
Confident supporting children with additional or complex needs
Comfortable working as part of a supportive team
Drivers or candidates willing to travel across South Essex are highly desirable
Qualifications such as Manual Handling, Hoist Training, Team Teach, First Aid or care-related certifications are beneficial but not essential.

Benefits:

Competitive PAYE pay based on experience and skills
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
Dedicated consultant support from a specialist SEND team
£50 referral bonus for successful recommendations
If you are looking to start or continue a rewarding career supporting children and young people with SEND, apply today.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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