How to Become a Learning Mentor in the UK
Learning mentors support pupils whose learning is affected by problems with behaviour, attendance, confidence or home life. You might run one-to-one sessions, small groups on friendships or anger management, check in with pupils each morning, liaise with families and work with teachers and outside agencies.
You don't need a degree. Most learning mentors start with experience as a teaching assistant, youth worker or support worker, and schools usually ask for good GCSEs in English and maths and an enhanced DBS check.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £27,000
- Mid-career salary
- £27,000 - £31,000
- Senior salary
- £30,000 - £36,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: No-degree careers, Stable careers, Career change.
What a Learning Mentor does
Support pupils who need extra help with learning, behaviour, attendance or emotional needs.
How to become a learning mentor in the UK
There is no single required qualification. Schools and colleges look for experience of supporting children or young people, an understanding of safeguarding, and good literacy and numeracy. Useful qualifications include a Level 2 or 3 course in supporting teaching and learning, mentoring or counselling skills, and youth work qualifications. You will need an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check before working with children. Many mentors gain extra training once in post, such as mental health first aid, restorative approaches and trauma-informed practice.
- Get experience with children or young people, for example as a teaching assistant, youth club volunteer, sports coach or residential support worker.
- Make sure you have GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or C, or equivalent, as most schools ask for them.
- Take a Level 2 or 3 course in supporting teaching and learning, mentoring or counselling skills to strengthen your application.
- Complete safeguarding training and get an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
- Apply for learning mentor, pastoral support or inclusion assistant roles in schools, academies, pupil referral units and colleges.
- Build specialist skills once in post, such as mental health first aid, attendance work or supporting pupils with special educational needs.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching assistant, then learning mentor | 1-3 years | Free, you earn while you learn | People already working in schools |
| Youth work or support work experience | 1-2 years | Free or low cost | Career changers who work well with young people |
| Level 2 or 3 course, plus volunteering | 6-12 months | Varies by provider, sometimes free | People starting with no experience |
How long it takes
With relevant experience you can apply for learning mentor roles within a year. Starting from scratch, expect one to three years of work or volunteering with young people first.
Learning Mentor salary in the UK
Learning mentors usually earn around £24,000 to £27,000 to start, rising to about £27,000 to £31,000 with experience. Senior mentors and pastoral leads earn around £30,000 to £36,000. Many posts are paid on school support staff scales and are term-time only, so the actual pay you receive is often lower than the full-time equivalent salary in the advert. Pay also varies between councils, academy trusts and colleges. Some mentors go on to train as teachers or move into youth work.
Key skills
- Mentoring
- Safeguarding
- Patience
- Empathy
- Boundaries
Learning Mentor FAQs
How do I become a learning mentor in the UK?
Build experience supporting children or young people, for example as a teaching assistant or youth worker, get an enhanced DBS check, and apply for mentor or pastoral roles in schools and colleges. A Level 2 or 3 course helps.
Do you need qualifications to be a learning mentor?
There is no required qualification. Most schools ask for GCSE English and maths, relevant experience and a DBS check. A Level 2 or 3 qualification in supporting teaching and learning, mentoring or counselling skills makes your application stronger.
How much does a learning mentor earn?
Learning mentors usually earn around £24,000 to £27,000 to start and £27,000 to £31,000 with experience, rising to £30,000 to £36,000 in senior roles. Term-time contracts reduce actual pay.
What is the difference between a learning mentor and a teaching assistant?
A teaching assistant mainly supports learning in lessons. A learning mentor focuses on the barriers that stop a pupil learning, such as behaviour, attendance, anxiety or problems at home, often working one-to-one outside the classroom.
Is Learning Mentor right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Learning Mentor actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Not sure learning mentor is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.