Job Description

SPECTRUM FIRST EDUCATION LTD JOB DESCRIPTION: AUTISM SPECIALIST MENTOR

1. To provide skilled, person centred support for autistic students in Higher Education.

2. To liaise with University support staff and Study Skills Tutors in order to ensure that the student's needs are fully assessed and met.

3. To assist with the implementation of autism specific strategies, which underpin learning.

Role Description:

Hours of Work: Hourly, as agreed by the mentor and Spectrum First Education.

Place of Work: Sheffield Universities, online from home, or other location agreed by the mentor and student and approved as suitable by the Directors of Spectrum First Education.

Time of Work: As agreed by the mentor and student and approved by the Directors of Spectrum First Education.

Remuneration: Hourly starting rate of 30 plus 12.07% holiday entitlement and pension contribution where appropriate.

Responsible to: In the first instance, the directors of Spectrum First Education and through them to the Disability Advisor (AS) at the relevant University. The Autism Specialist Mentor is required to provide a high standard of autism specialist support to named University students who have been recommended to Spectrum First Education for support and allocated to the mentor by Spectrum First Education's directors.

Role Description:

Mentor support is provided specifically to assist students to access learning opportunities through addressing and removing any barriers which might prevent or hinder their full access to the learning experience.

This could involve the following:

Providing practical assistance and support for:

Engaging with the learning experience. Orientation skills. Organisational skills. Time management. Balancing work load Life skills. Communication skills to enable the student to communicate effectively with teaching staff and peers. Memory skills. Completing administrative tasks. Managing Autism associated anxiety. Attending meetings with University staff.
In addition, the Specialist Mentor will be expected to:

Encourage independent learning at all times. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Maintain records in line with Spectrum First's and DfE's policies and procedures. Maintain professional standards at all times. Liaise as required with named University staff members. Communicate with the Study Skills Tutor when appropriate to discuss joint implementation of strategies. Assist the student in the implementation of support strategies as provided by the study skills tutor. Perform other duties deemed suitable after discussion and direction from the directors at Spectrum First Education. Demonstrate due care and regard for their own safety as a 'lone worker'.
This position is subject to the mentor evidencing the mandatory qualifications as laid down by the DfE as a minimum requirement.

This position is also subject to a DBS check.

Full role Department of Education descriptions of the role and its mandatory criteria are available here on page 12: https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/2109/matrix-june-2025.pdf

In-house training provided, but please check mandatory requirements.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract, Graduate

Pay: 30.00-33.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 - 20 per week

Work Location: In person