Behaviour Support Assistant - Blackpool

Tradewind Recruitment LTD.; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sociable hours: 8:30am–3:30pm

13 weeks school holidays

Free CPD training

Career progression to permanent school

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment LTD. is seeking a dedicated 1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant for an Alternative Provision in Blackpool.

The role focuses on supporting a secondary-aged pupil with SEMH needs, trauma-related behaviours, and attachment difficulties, providing calm, consistent, and trauma-informed support throughout the day. Previous experience in children's residential or social care settings is welcome.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience working with children/young people with complex SEMH needs, attachment disorders, or challenging behaviours in residential, foster care, or social work settings.
• Calm, resilient, and non-reactive mindset to start each day.
• Team Teach and/or MAPA/PBSA certification is advantageous and training may be provided.
• Enhanced DBS on Update Service or willingness to apply for one.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 emotional regulation, behaviour mentoring, and pastoral support for a male secondary-aged learner.
• Act as a stable anchor throughout the school day, encouraging engagement with practical and functional skills learning.
• Utilise de-escalation strategies and therapeutic crisis intervention to manage heightened situations safely.
• Build rapport based on mutual respect, consistency, and clear boundaries.
• Collaborate with SENDCo, pastoral team, and external social care agencies.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Behaviour mentoring

Emotional regulation support

1:1 support

Pastoral support

Crisis de-escalation

Team Teach

MAPA/PBSA

Education

Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on Update Service

Job description

Are you currently working in Children's Residential Care or Social Care and looking for a better work-life balance? Transition from unsociable shift patterns, sleep-ins, and long weekends into a Monday to Friday, term-time-only education role, while continuing to make a vital impact on vulnerable young people. An established Alternative Provision (AP) in Blackpool is recruiting a dedicated 1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant to work on a direct 1:1 basis with a secondary-aged male pupil presenting with complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, trauma-related behaviours, and attachment difficulties. Mainstream education has not worked for this young man. We need someone with a calm, therapeutic presence who understands how trauma manifests in behaviour, knows how to hold firm boundaries without escalating conflict, and can act as a consistent positive role model.

Why Your Residential / Social Care Background Fits Perfectly:

Classroom teaching experience is not required. We specifically welcome applications from:

• Children's Residential Support Workers (RSWs): You already understand high-level safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and remaining composed during crisis or emotional dysregulation.
• Family Support & Social Care Workers: Experienced in multi-agency communication, emotional containment, and understanding complex home dynamics.
• Therapeutic Care / SEN Care Assistants: Confident in setting clear, daily routines, building trust from the ground up, and not taking challenging behaviour personally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide dedicated 1:1 emotional regulation, behaviour mentoring, and pastoral support for a male secondary-aged learner.
• Act as a stable, dependable anchor throughout his school day, encouraging engagement with vocational, practical, and functional skills learning.
• Utilise proven de-escalation strategies and therapeutic crisis intervention to manage heightened situations safely.
• Build a rapport based on mutual respect, consistency, and clear boundaries.
• Collaborate closely with the provision's SENDCo, pastoral team, and external social care agencies.

What We Are Looking For:

• Demonstrable experience working with children or young people with complex SEMH needs, attachment disorders, or challenging behaviours (Residential Care, Foster Care, or Social Work settings preferred).
• A calm, resilient, and non-reactive mindset-approaching each morning as a clean slate.
• Natural de-escalation instincts and an understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Team Teach, MAPA/PBSA, or physical intervention certification is advantageous (free accredited refresher training provided).
• Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).

Benefits of the Role:

• Sociable Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm. Enjoy your evenings, weekends, and all 13 weeks of school holidays.
• Low Staff-to-Pupil Ratios: Work within a dedicated, specialist AP environment backed by a multi-disciplinary support team.
• Free CPD Training: Ongoing access to accredited courses including Team Teach, SEMH de-escalation, and advanced safeguarding.
• Career Progression: Real opportunities to transition onto a permanent school contract.