Specialist Mentor (Mental Health / Autism Spectrum Conditions)

Specialist Mentors are highly qualified and experienced professionals who deliver one-to-one support to higher education students funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). While they are not advocates or counsellors, they promote independent learning and empower students to manage their own workload through practical strategies and personalised techniques.

What support is provided? Specialist Mentors can help you with:

• Transitioning into university life and adapting to new working patterns
• Managing university routines and academic demands
• Developing effective approaches for dealing with study-related stress and anxiety
• Building time management, prioritisation, and organisational strategies
• Identifying and accessing appropriate resources to reduce barriers to learning
• Creating practical study techniques including note-taking, assignment planning, structuring, reading, and research skills
• Preparing for examinations, assessments, and oral presentations
• Exploring solutions to issues affecting academic performance
• Developing techniques to set and achieve academic goals while working towards greater autonomy

The Role As a Specialist Mentor you will:

• Provide effective, student-specific support in a higher education setting for individuals facing barriers due to mental health difficulties and/or autistic spectrum conditions
• Work collaboratively with each student to identify barriers and co-create strategies that lead to independent learning
• Monitor the effectiveness of support strategies and adjust them as needed
• Organise and deliver regular mentoring sessions (on campus, in-home, or remotely)
• Help students build confidence, resilience, and practical skills for successful study

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience of working with students or individuals with mental health difficulties and/or autism spectrum conditions
• Ability to assess individual needs and co-create an appropriate Individual Support Plan
• Understanding of the demands of higher education study
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Commitment to promoting student autonomy and empowerment

Essential Qualifications Mental Health Mentors: Degree-level qualification plus current membership of a recognised professional body (e.g. BACP, BABCP, HCPC, UMHAN or equivalent). Autism Spectrum Mentors: Degree plus a teaching qualification and comprehensive adult autism training (e.g. all 5 NAS core modules or equivalent PG Cert in Autism). Full details of the Department for Education (DfE) NMH qualification matrix are available on request.

Why join Daisy Training?

• Competitive hourly rates
• Fully flexible freelance/self-employed working (choose your own hours and location)
• Supportive team with easy-to-use digital systems and a dedicated student app
• Opportunity to make a real difference by empowering students to reach their full potential