Specialist Mentor

Are you a qualified Specialist Mentor who is looking for a rewarding and flexible role and passionate about improving a student's academic journey?

Randstad Student Support are recruiting for Specialist Mentors to work with students who have disabilities or mental health conditions studying at Universities and/or Colleges in Manchester.

The role is set to begin at the start of the new academic year (from 1st September 2024) and is a hybrid role. All successful candidates must be able to travel to the local University or college and offer both in person and online sessions flexibly to meet student preferences.

As a Specialist Mentor, you would be a trusted advisor for students. You will be required to assist students throughout the full academic year. You will help students to reflect on their experiences in study as well as introducing strategies to overcome certain barriers.

As a Specialist Mentor you will support students on a 1-2-1 basis to:

• Create strategies around organisation and time management
• Breaking down tasks to meet deadlines
• Achieve an appropriate balance in study and daily living
• Manage anxiety, stress or low mood
• Prepare for new experiences
• Build on confidence and strengths to become an independent learner

Whilst working for Randstad the needs of individual students should be taken into consideration case by case and you should ensure that any concerns are addressed in a timely manner. It is expected that you would act professionally and maintain confidentiality within your role at all times, sharing all relevant information with Randstad to ensure the best possible service to your students.

Requirements for the role:
As this is a specialist role, you must hold membership with one of the below professional bodies. All students you will be supporting are funded by the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) meaning all candidates providing this role must adhere to the qualification framework set out by the DfE.

• BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• BPS - British Psychological Society
• HCPC - Health and Care Professions Council
• NCPS - National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
• NMC - Nursing and Midwifery Council
• SWE - Social Work England
• SCW - Social Care Wales
• UMHAN - The University Mental Health Advisers Network
• COSCA - Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland

You can find a list of all accepted memberships here (pages 8 & 9) along with the required membership level.
Desirable skills include:

• Experience of working with clients with disabilities and or mental health conditions
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to identify ways of helping students to build on their learning strengths whilst maintaining a confidential and professional working relationship
• Punctuality and reliability
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to manage a caseload of students
• Benefits of working with Randstad:
• We offer flexible working hours - you can select your own schedule!
• £28 per hour plus accrued holiday pay at £3.38 per hour
• Working for the UK's leading provider of non medical help support
• Access to an online timesheet system - meaning quicker turnaround on student approvals
• Engaged on a pay as you earn PAYE contract
• Weekly payment for all approved timesheets
• Join our Support Worker meetings & best practice sessions
• Free CPD / elearning included within the registration
• Free Employee Assistance Helpline
• Access to online discounts hub
• Workplace Pension Scheme
• Entitled to maternity, paternity, adoption and sick leave
• Refer a friend scheme - unlimited cap on all successful referrals!

Don't just take it from us, here are some testimonials left by our current support workers!

"Randstad is a great place to work - allowing independence freedom and creativity in the way I work"

"My experience with Randstad has been phenomenal"

"Everyone I have spoken to has been incredibly helpful and friendly"

"I have a great work life balance"

We are looking to employ individuals who are really passionate about improving a student's academic journey and strive to provide each student with a high quality level of support.

If this sounds like you and you believe you hold the relevant qualifications and skills for the role, please do not delay in applying!

If you are shortlisted for the role, we will contact you for a short informal chat about the role followed by a formal interview. If you are successful following the interview stage, you will then be taken through the registration process.
If you have any questions call the office on and ask to speak to Abi!

Randstad SWS acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad SWS is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.