The Orpheus Centre is an independent specialist College in Godstone, Surrey. We focus on developing independence skills through performing and visual arts and make dramatic improvements to young disabled adults’ lives.
Set up by musician and songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus offers learning, supported housing and personal care all on the same site in Godstone, Surrey. We showcase what Orpheus students can offer in the workplace and we challenge the barriers to employment faced by some disabled people.
We are currently seeking a SEND Employability Mentor to adopt a person-centred approach in order to support and mentor students on their employment journey into work. This will include motivating students to achieve targets and providing continued in-work support throughout their programme into employment/training/education. There will be significant emphasis on supporting the learner’s journey in line with their aspirations.
You will also engage with external employers as well as work closely with internal and external stakeholders to create and nurture opportunities for students and support Orpheus with the arts centre.
The post holder will work closely with the Transition Manger to support next stage learners within their chosen transition pathway. You will also provide support for alumni within their chosen communities.
35 hours per week / 44 weeks per year
The post demands a high level of flexibility and ability to adapt to changes due to service needs
Salary: £22,000 per annum
Please note that this is a term time only contract for 44 weeks a year, 38 of which are term weeks, plus 6 weeks of training, planning, admin and alumni support to be worked as required by the organisation.
Excellent benefits including enhanced pension contributions, Employment Assistant Program (EAP) paid days off for dependants, bereavement leave, death in service, free staff lunches and training and development opportunities.
Essential qualifications, knowledge and experience:
• Level 2 English and math qualification
• Experience of working with disabled people and an understanding of equal opportunities and safeguarding practice
• A minimum of one years’ proven experience of working in an educational setting with adults
• Experience of record keeping and incident reporting
• An understanding of the potential challenges faced by disabled people when trying to gain external work experience and/or paid employment
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team and foster good relationships within a multi-disciplinary environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills that can be used to engage with a wide range of audiences
• Flexibility to cope with the varying demands of the role, managing time effectively to achieve the desired results
• Able to quickly identify problems, and be proactive with solutions to resolve issues
• Good administration, IT and organisation skills
• Prepared and committed to continuous professional development in relation to specialist subjects
• A full driving licence is required
• Self-motivation, decision making skills and the ability to work as part of a team
Experience working in further education with young adults with learning and/or physical disabilities is desirable.
Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all service users. As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023, online searches will form part of this process. We are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities.
This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is therefore subject to an Enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure Barring Service.
In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.
Click below for a full job description.
https://tinyurl.com/3thrxvkd
To apply, please include in your application your CV and a supporting statement matching your skills to the job description and person specification.
The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.
We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be guaranteed an interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:
• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration
No agencies please.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
