Behaviour Support Assistant

Cover People; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

12.07% holiday pay

APSCo+ verified recruitment

Immediate start

Long-term contract potential

Job summary

Cover People are recruiting for a Behaviour Support Assistant to join an Alternative Provision setting in Bury, supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs. The role is initially full-time and temporary, with potential for a long-term placement or permanent contract for the right candidate.

You will work one-to-one and in small groups, helping pupils stay engaged, develop regulation skills and re-engage with learning.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH or challenging behaviour is desirable.
• Able to build positive relationships with pupils.
• Able to work with young people one-to-one and in small groups.
• Willing to undergo enhanced DBS and safeguarding checks.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs across the school environment.
• Provide one-to-one and small-group support.
• Help pupils manage behaviour and engage with learning.
• Support emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies.
• Act as a consistent, positive role model for pupils.
• Assist with the implementation of individual behaviour and learning plans.
• Work as part of the pastoral and education team.
• Encourage pupils to make positive choices and develop independence.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Patience

Strong communication

Experience with SEMH

Job description

Behaviour Support Assistant – Alternative Provision | SEMH

Location: Bury, Greater Manchester
Salary: £100–£140 per day, dependent on experience and suitability
Job Type: Full Time – Temporary, with the potential for a long-term or permanent contract
Start Date: Immediate Start

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

Are you an experienced Youth Worker, Support Worker, Social Worker, Behaviour Mentor or Teaching Assistant looking to take the next step in your career?

Or perhaps you're an aspiring educator looking to gain valuable experience working with young people before progressing into teaching?

Cover People are currently recruiting for a Behaviour Support Assistant to join an Alternative Provision setting in Bury, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work with young people who may have experienced challenges within mainstream education and require a more personalised, consistent and nurturing approach.

The role is initially temporary, with the potential for a long-term placement or permanent contract for the right candidate, depending on the needs of the setting and your suitability for the role.

About the Role

As a Behaviour Support Assistant, you will work throughout the setting, providing targeted support to pupils on a one-to-one basis and in small groups. You will help them manage their behaviour, engage with education and develop the skills they need to succeed.

You may also provide occasional support within lessons, working alongside teaching staff to help pupils remain focused, regulated and engaged with their learning.

The role will involve:

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs across the school environment.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies.
• Acting as a consistent and positive role model.
• Helping pupils re-engage with learning and develop confidence.
• Providing occasional classroom support alongside teaching staff.
• Supporting the implementation of individual behaviour and learning strategies.
• Working as part of a wider pastoral and education team.
• Encouraging pupils to make positive choices and develop greater independence.

This is a role where relationships matter. You will need to be calm, patient and resilient, while understanding that challenging behaviour is often a form of communication.

A Temporary Opportunity With Long-Term Potential

This position is initially offered on a temporary, full-time basis, making it an excellent opportunity to gain experience within an Alternative Provision setting and demonstrate your ability to make a positive difference.

For the right candidate, there is the potential for the role to develop into a long-term placement or permanent contract, subject to the setting's requirements and your performance.

If you're looking for more than a short-term opportunity and want to build meaningful relationships with pupils, become part of a dedicated team and establish yourself within education, this could be an excellent next step.

We are keen to hear from candidates who are committed, reliable and passionate about supporting young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.

A Fantastic Opportunity for Aspiring Educators

At Cover People, we recognise that some of the best future educators don't necessarily start their careers in a classroom.

That's why we welcome candidates transitioning into education from backgrounds including:

• Youth Work
• Social Work
• Support Work
• Residential Care
• Community Work
• Behaviour Support
• Mental Health Support
• Other roles working directly with young people

For suitable candidates looking to progress into education, we can offer access to our 'Become a Teaching Assistant' course, delivered by a qualified teacher at Cover People.

This provides an opportunity to gain practical school-based experience while developing your understanding of the Teaching Assistant role and building towards a career in education.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about supporting young people.
• Calm, patient and emotionally resilient.
• Confident managing challenging behaviour.
• Able to build positive relationships with pupils who may be difficult to engage.
• Consistent and confident in setting appropriate boundaries.
• A strong communicator and team player.
• Understanding and non-judgemental in their approach.
• Keen to develop a career within education, youth work or support services.
• Reliable and interested in the potential to progress into a longer-term position.

Previous experience working with SEMH, challenging behaviour or vulnerable young people is highly desirable. However, we are also keen to hear from candidates with transferable experience from youth work, social care and support work backgrounds.

Why Join Cover People?

At Cover People, we're committed to supporting education professionals and those looking to transition into a career within education.

We are proudly APSCo+ verified, demonstrating our commitment to high standards in education recruitment and providing a trusted, compliant and ethical service to schools and candidates.

When you join Cover People, you can expect:

• £100–£140 per day, depending on experience and suitability.
• An immediate start in an Alternative Provision setting in Bury.
• A full-time temporary role with the potential for a long-term or permanent contract.
• Opportunities across Bury and Greater Manchester.
• Weekly pay.
• 12.07% statutory holiday pay.
• Support from a friendly, experienced team of education consultants.
• Opportunities tailored to your skills, experience and aspirations.
• CV guidance and interview preparation.
• Ongoing support throughout your placement.
• Opportunities to transition into education from other professional backgrounds.
• Access to our 'Become a Teaching Assistant' course, delivered by a qualified teacher at Cover People, where appropriate.

Safeguarding and Compliance

As part of our commitment to safeguarding children and young people, all successful applicants must:

• Hold, or be willing to apply for, an Enhanced DBS check and meet the relevant Update Service requirements.
• Provide two professional references.
• Complete overseas police checks where applicable.
• Provide a full CV with all employment gaps clearly explained.
• Have the right to work in the UK.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're passionate about helping young people overcome barriers, develop positive behaviours and re-engage with education, we want to hear from you.

Whether you're an experienced Behaviour Support Assistant or currently working in Youth Work, Social Care or Support Work and looking to transition into education, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

With an immediate start, competitive daily pay and the potential for a long-term or permanent contract, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing your career.