Specialist Inclusion Mentor for Complex Needs
Hazel Oak School, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 2AZ20 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
2 October 2025 at 3pm
Date listed
12 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
- Pastoral, health and welfare
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,597 - £37,280
What skills and experience we're looking for
Substantial and successful experience of working with children with special educational needs
Knowledge and understanding of complex autism and associated speech, language, communication needs (including AAC) and trauma informed practice.
Knowledge and experience of the school curriculum and how this is adapted for learners with complex needs.
Experience of assessing individual pupil’s learning needs and progress and supporting the identification of their next steps in learning and development
Knowledge and understanding of the effective adaptation of teaching and learning strategies for pupils with complex needs and autism
Knowledge and understanding of effective approaches to enable pupils to be successful in school
Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively in writing and orally to a range of audiences including parents, agencies, school-based staff and colleagues,and to deliver presentations and training.
Ability to make sound judgements and decisions, working effectively under pressure, maintaining a growth mindset
Good time management and organisational skills
To be able to demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness when managing distressed pupil behaviour
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as a member of a team and make an effective contribution to the team and an ongoing desire to develop professionally
Maintain a growth mindset and solution focused thinking at all times, advocating positivity with colleagues.
Competent in the use of ICT and open to new systems
What the school offers its staff
- A supportive leadership team
- Health and wellbeing support through an external provider
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Salary sacrifice for childcare costs
- Subsidised public transport costs
- Subsidised eye tests and glasses for DSE users
Further information about the job
Specialist Inclusion Mentor for Complex Needs
37.5 hours per week. Term Time 39 weeks per year
D Band salary range £32,597 - £37,280
(actual salary range £27,944 - £31,959 starting salary based on experience)
This a new opportunity for an experienced teaching assistant to lead in supporting colleagues and pupils across the school. The successful candidate will work in and out of class as part of the pastoral team to support pupils, staff and families and mentor class based colleagues in support strategies for pupils with complex needs and autism and their associated speech, language and communication challenges. You will also manage the daily deployment of support staff and coach colleagues to include more specialised strategies for individual pupils in and beyond class.
Hazel Oak supports a high percentage of pupils with complex needs, Autism, ADHD, speech language and communication and sensory challenges. An increasing number of pupils are non-speaking and require high levels of communication support through Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools.
This new role will support pupils with anxiety who can present with distressed behaviour and mental health challenges, whilst supporting the learning and development of staff to manage this creatively and effectively. Our school ethos around pupil self-regulation also combines restorative practice and Team Teach strategies to support our trauma informed approach.
You will work within the pastoral team, family support and the leadership team to bring positive outcomes for pupils with complex needs and sensory processing challenges across the school.
Your essential skills
- Autonomous and ambitious - able to set your own agenda and work independently to achieve your goals.
- Creative and supportive - approach all challenges from a solution focused perspective, helping all those around you to do the same, despite the level of challenge.
- Sensitive and assertive - work with empathy towards staff and pupils who are challenged in difficult situations, whilst communicating high expectations and consistency.
- Data driven and reflective - work with monitoring data to evidence and evaluate impact, challenging issues that arise and seeking shared solutions. Evaluate and reflect on what is effective and what needs to develop, in staff practice and whole school ethos.
- Diligent and committed - Ability to go the distance and see things through, even when challenges and obstacles persist. Radiate positivity and a growth mindset at all times.
- Working knowledge of mental health and emotional support strategies for young people and a practical knowledge of trauma informed practices.
We can offer you:
- A supportive leadership team
- Health and wellbeing support through an external provider
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Salary sacrifice for childcare costs
- Subsidised public transport costs
- Subsidised eye tests and glasses for DSE users
Please go to our website www.hazel-oak.co.uk for more information about the school and an application, or email s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday 2nd October 2025
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks.
The post falls under the requirements of the Fluency Duty (part of the Immigration Act 2016) which makes it a requirement for all public sector workers operating in ‘customer facing’ role to be able to speak fluent English.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Commitment to safeguarding
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Hazel Oak School
- School type
- Special school, ages 4 to 19
- School size
- 200 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Hazel Oak School website
- Email address
- s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01217444162
Hazel Oak is an Outstanding learning environment, for pupils aged 4-19 years, who have a broad range of needs including Autism, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, social, emotional and behavioural challenges and a range of personal care and medical needs. We also support a growing number of pupils with mental health challenges.
Arranging a visit to Hazel Oak School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk.
School location
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