Behaviour Lead

First Steps Together; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

First Steps Together is seeking an experienced Behaviour Lead to join Mount Havelock, a new specialist school in Huddersfield opening January 2027. You will be the lead practitioner for behaviour and SEMH, embedding relational and therapeutic approaches across the school.

You’ll coach staff, develop personalised behaviour support plans, monitor incidents, and collaborate with CAMHS, social care and education psychologists. The role combines direct pupil support with school-wide leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of supporting children with complex SEMH needs.
• Strong understanding of relational, trauma-informed and positive behaviour approaches.
• Excellent communicator who can coach, guide and challenge colleagues to follow agreed approaches.
• Experience or accreditation in de-escalation and crisis intervention would be valuable.

Responsibilities

• Lead practitioner for behaviour and SEMH across the school and embed relational, trauma-informed approaches.
• Direct pupil work with complex cases and provide guidance to staff.
• Develop and review personalised behaviour support plans and risk assessments.
• Coach staff to strengthen school-wide behaviour practice and ensure consistency.
• Contribute to safeguarding activities and multi-agency planning as required.

Skills

Behaviour support

SEMH

De-escalation

Coaching staff

Trauma-informed

Tools

Team Teach

MAPA

PRICE

Job description

Mount Havelock is part of the First Steps Together Group, and is our newest specialist school, located in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, opening in January 2027.

Providing education for young people across Key Stages 3 and 4, Mount Havelock will offer a nurturing, inclusive and aspirational environment where pupils are supported to feel safe, understood and able to succeed. Joining Mount Havelock is an exciting opportunity to be part of a brand-new school from the beginning – helping to shape its culture, establish its team and create an exceptional learning environment for our young people.

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, understood, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools providing nurturing, inclusive and aspirational education for children and young people with a range of additional needs, including SEND, SEMH and complex presentations. We recognise that behaviour is a form of communication and are committed to creating calm, consistent environments where pupils are supported to overcome barriers, develop positive behaviours for learning and engage successfully in education. JDPS Behaviour Lead

We are looking for an experienced, resilient and relational Behaviour Lead to join our school team and take a leading role in developing high-quality behaviour and SEMH practice across the school.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who can combine specialist direct work with pupils with leadership of whole‑school behaviour practice, helping colleagues understand the needs behind behaviour and ensuring pupils receive consistent, personalised and effective support.

Working closely with the School Leadership Team, teachers, pastoral colleagues, therapists and external professionals, you’ll help create an environment where pupils feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be the school’s lead practitioner for behaviour and SEMH, providing a visible, calm and consistent presence across the school and helping embed relational, trauma‑informed and therapeutic approaches into everyday practice.

A significant part of your role will involve working directly with pupils who have the most complex behavioural and SEMH needs. You’ll provide specialist intervention and guidance, deliver targeted one‑to‑one and small‑group work, and help pupils develop their emotional regulation, resilience, problem‑solving skills and ability to make positive choices.

You’ll lead the development and review of personalised behaviour support plans, risk assessments and risk‑reduction strategies, making sure these are practical, responsive to individual needs and consistently understood and implemented by colleagues.

When pupils experience periods of crisis or dysregulation, you’ll provide skilled support using appropriate de‑escalation approaches, helping maintain safety and dignity. You’ll also lead and support effective reintegration following incidents, helping pupils return positively to learning.

Your expertise won’t just be used in direct pupil work. You’ll coach, model and support colleagues to strengthen behaviour practice across the school, helping staff understand individual pupils, respond consistently and confidently manage complex situations.

You’ll contribute to staff training and professional development in areas including SEMH, behaviour support, trauma‑informed practice, de‑escalation and restorative approaches, helping create a shared and consistent approach across the school.

You’ll also take an analytical approach to behaviour. You’ll monitor and interpret behaviour and incident information to identify patterns, emerging concerns and opportunities for targeted intervention, using this information to evaluate what is working and inform continuous improvement.

Strong partnership working will be important. You’ll work closely with teachers, pastoral colleagues, therapists and senior leaders and build constructive relationships with parents and carers. Where appropriate, you’ll contribute to EHCP reviews, safeguarding meetings and multi‑agency planning and work alongside professionals including CAMHS, social care and educational psychologists.

Above all, you’ll help ensure that behaviour is understood rather than simply managed, maintaining high expectations while helping pupils develop the skills and strategies they need to engage successfully in education.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone with significant experience of supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs and behaviours that can challenge, alongside a strong understanding of relational, trauma‑informed and positive behaviour approaches.

You’ll understand how SEMH needs, trauma and other barriers can affect behaviour, engagement and learning, and you’ll know how to translate that understanding into practical strategies that make a difference for individual pupils.

You’ll be confident developing and implementing behaviour plans, risk assessments and personalised strategies, as well as providing direct interventions for pupils who require more intensive support.

You’ll need to be an excellent communicator who can build trusted relationships with pupils while also confidently coaching, guiding and challenging colleagues to ensure agreed approaches are consistently followed.

You’ll be skilled in de‑escalation and crisis intervention, able to remain emotionally regulated and make sound decisions when situations become challenging. Experience or accredited training in approaches such as Team Teach, PRICE, MAPA, Nurture, Thrive or restorative practice would be particularly valuable.

You’ll also be comfortable using behaviour information and professional judgement to identify patterns, evaluate interventions and recommend changes to practice.

Most importantly, you’ll bring a calm, resilient and consistent approach, combining empathy, patience and professional curiosity with high expectations for pupils and a genuine belief in their capacity to succeed.

Why First Steps Together?

This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping behaviour and SEMH practice within a specialist school where relationships, inclusion and individualised support are central to how we work.

Rather than being removed from pupils, this is a visible and pupil‑facing leadership role. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with children and young people while also influencing the practice of colleagues and helping develop consistent approaches across the school.

You’ll join a supportive specialist education organisation where reflective practice, professional development and continuous improvement are actively encouraged. The role provides opportunities to further develop your knowledge of SEND, safeguarding, behaviour, autism, ADHD, communication and trauma‑informed practice.

If you are an experienced behaviour or SEMH practitioner who can combine specialist expertise with calm leadership, strong relationships and high expectations, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your difference. Take your next step with First Steps Together.

Safeguarding

First Steps Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to this role will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre‑employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS, satisfactory references, online checks and overseas police checks where required.