Specialist Mentors

Beacon Support Ltd. are recruiting Specialist Mentors to support Higher Education students. The position offers flexible hours to work around you, whilst helping to make a difference to students' educational experiences., We have students with disabilities/mental health conditions who require one to one support in their higher education studies. As a Specialist Mentor you will assist students to learn coping strategies and techniques to overcome their particular disability-related difficulties. The type of support professional Specialist Mentors provide is highly specialised, which is reflected in the hourly rate usually awarded for this type of support. A Specialist Mentor will encourage a student to build on their strengths and avoid negativity. The student will be introduced to appropriate interventions designed to develop their confidence and organisational skills. The Specialist Mentor will support the student in managing their workload and dealing with issues that impact upon study. Specialist Mentors have excellent communication skills, organisational skills and flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the students they are supporting. Any specialist support provided will be tailored to the student's individual needs, setting out clear goals and timescales. Specialist Mentors work with a Mentor Action Plan (MAP) to framework their sessions so that responsibilities and expectations can be negotiated appropriately. As each student's needs are different, sessions are tailored to suit specific individual requirements.

Ideally you will have experience of working with students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) in higher or further education. Applicants must be willing to meet with students on a face-to-face basis if this is a request for their support provision.

• Flexible working hours, based around your own case load
• £36 per hour freelance/self-employed contract
• A robust CPD programme
• Autonomy to manage own case load whilst still having ready access to a support manager
• Being part of a professional and caring team, This is a specialist role, and so you must hold a professional membership with one of the following organisations:
Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) - Full member. The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) - Accredited membership. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Registered Member (MBACP), Accredited Member (MBACP - Accred) British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) - Under a member institution British Psychological Society (BPS) - Chartered Member (CPsychol)/IAPT register/ Graduate Member (MBPsS) a PG qualification in Psychology or Mental Health. Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) - Accredited (Other UK Professional body) Counsellor/Psychotherapist Member of COSCA Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP) - National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (NCAC) General Medical Council (GMC) - Psychiatry - Full member or above. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Education and training programmes approved as a route to registration - Arts Therapist/ Occupational Therapist/ Practitioner Psychologist/ Social Worker in England Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) - Accredited member National Counselling Society (NCS) (Accredited Registrants (MNCS Accred); Accredited Professional Registrant (MNCS Prof Accred); Senior Accredited Registrant status (MNCS Snr Accred); NCS Fellowship (FNCS). Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) - Mental Health Nurse/ Community Mental Health Nurse / Psychiatric Nurse Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Social Care Wales (SCW) Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) - Full clinical individual member The University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN) Association of Christian Counsellors (UK) - Accredited Counsellor To support students with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) you must also hold a degree, and have had comprehensive training in adult autism, although this is not an exclusive requirement for candidates wishing to apply for the post of specialist mentor (mental health).