1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant

Tradewind Recruitment LTD.; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free CPD training

Permanent contract option

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment LTD. is seeking a dedicated Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant to join an established Alternative Provision in Blackpool. You will work 1:1 with a secondary pupil presenting SEMH needs, building trust, boundaries, and re-engaging with education.

Experience in conflict resolution and de-escalation is valued. Term-time hours with CPD training provided, and potential for a permanent contract following a successful placement.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting vulnerable or challenging young people or learners with SEMH.
• Ability to de-escalate and manage behaviour in a school setting.
• Strong communication and mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 emotional, behavioural, and pastoral support throughout the school day.
• Build rapport with the pupil based on trust and clear expectations.
• Implement proactive de-escalation strategies to manage deregulated behaviour safely.
• Support the pupil in vocational sessions, practical activities, and core lessons.
• Collaborate with the class teacher, SENDCo, and pastoral team to track progress.

Skills

Calm under pressure

De-escalation skills

Strong communication

Mentoring ability

Teamwork

Tools

MAPA/Price training

Team Teach

Job description

We are recruiting a dedicated, resilient 1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant to join an established Alternative Provision in Blackpool. You will be working on a direct 1:1 basis with a secondary-aged pupil presenting with complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated challenging behaviours. Traditional classroom experience is not required. We are actively seeking individuals with strong life experience, calm authority, and natural mentoring ability who can build trust, establish boundaries, and help a disengaged learner re-access education.

This role is ideal for candidates from backgrounds such as:

• Ex-Military / Armed Forces: Bringing structure, disciplined calm, reliability, and natural presence.
• Youth Work / Community Outreach: Skilled in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and connecting with teenagers who feel let down by the system.
• Children's Residential Care: Experienced with trauma-informed care, high safeguarding standards, and remaining composed during crisis points.
• Sports Coaching / Behaviour Mentoring: Able to use practical engagement and routine to redirect frustration into positive focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 emotional, behavioural, and pastoral support throughout the school day.
• Build a rapport based on mutual respect, consistency, and clear daily expectations.
• Implement proactive de-escalation strategies to manage deregulated behaviour safely.
• Support the pupil in vocational sessions, practical activities, and core lessons.
• Work closely with the class teacher, SENDCo, and pastoral team to track progress.

What We Are Looking For

• A patient, firm, and non-judgemental mindset-someone who doesn't take behaviour personally and treats every day as a clean slate.
• Proven experience supporting vulnerable, at-risk, or challenging young people or working in high-structure team environments.
• Strong communication skills with an instinctive ability to de-escalate heightened situations.
• Team Teach, MAPA/Price, or physical intervention training is an advantage (ongoing accredited CPD can be provided).
• Enhanced DBS certificate on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).

What the Provision Offers

• Sociable, term-time-only hours (no evenings or weekends).
• A supportive, tight-knit specialist staff team with low pupil-to-staff ratios.
• Free accredited CPD training, including positive behaviour management and advanced safeguarding.
• The opportunity to secure a permanent school contract following a successful placement.