Engagement Practitioner

Education Partnership North East; North East, Ashington, Ponteland; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Family leave & flexible working

LGPS or Teacher Pension Scheme

Wellbeing support

Free parking on most campuses

Free Gym access

Job summary

Education Partnership North East is seeking a dedicated engagement and early intervention practitioner to join the Connect2 SEMH provision. Based in our Ashington campuses, you will be the first point of contact for learners needing support to access and sustain their learning.

You will work with curriculum teams and external partners to shape pathways, deliver short-term interventions, and build inclusive practices across the college.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Learning Support, Youth Work, Health and Social Care or related field.
• Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Experience supporting learners with SEND, particularly SEMH needs.
• Experience carrying out assessments, triage or structured learner support.
• Experience working with multi-agency services and signposting support.
• Ability to use data to identify need and inform support strategies.
• Ability to manage records accurately and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for learners, completing triage, initial assessments and identifying support needs.
• Provide short-term interventions, emotional regulation support and clear signposting to services.
• Work with curriculum staff and support staff to remove barriers and improve learner engagement.
• Use data and learner information to identify risk and track engagement and progress.
• Deliver guidance and training to staff to support inclusive practice and early identification of need.
• Build effective relationships with families and external agencies to support learner progression.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Data-informed decision making

Record keeping

Education

Level 3 qualification in Learning Support / Youth Work / Health & Social Care

Level 2 English & Maths

Job description

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026

Reference: 0270-26-R3

About the College

Northumberland College is Ofsted Outstanding and is currently building a multi-million, state of the art, new college campus in Ashington, due to open in 2026. The successful candidate will be based at the new college where a purpose-built construction, housing, advanced manufacturing and engineering centre will be located.

Curriculum spans technical, vocational further and higher education and includes large apprenticeship provision and dedicated centres for young people with SEND.

The College has two main campuses in Ashington, and Ponteland, and as part of the college group Education Partnership Northeast, it also has a significant number of satellite delivery centres across the region

Served by easy road links, and the new train station in Ashington, when Northumberland College opens its new Department for Education backed campus at Wansbeck Business Park, the college will boast a national trailblazer both in architectural design and operation. This major £52 million+ investment comes on top of the College recently driving £14million into new facilities and resources at its existing sites.

Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas -

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

Education Partnership North East 33 subscribers

Taking Teaching Further & Additional Incentives

If you’re making the move into further education teaching, you may be eligible for the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme a funded route to help industry professionals retrain as FE teachers.

In addition, for roles in high-need subjects or regions you may also benefit from the government’s targeted retention incentive (formerly “levelling-up premium”) payments, worth up to £6,000 for eligible teachers in their first five years and teaching certain shortage subjects.

Please note eligibility for both TTF and the Targeted Retention Incentive varies by role, subject area and provider, they do not apply to every vacancy.

Find out more about both initiatives through the links below.

You build trust quickly with young people who may feel disconnected from education. You stay calm under pressure, listen well and respond with clarity and consistency. You understand behaviour as communication and you adapt your approach to meet individual need.

You are organised, proactive and confident working with families, staff and external agencies. You use your judgement to make decisions that remove barriers and improve engagement.

You believe in inclusion, high expectations and early intervention. You focus on strengths, promote independence and help learners take meaningful steps forward.

How will this person be a Changemaker?

You will support learners with SEMH needs to re-engage with education and reduce the risk of them becoming NEET. You will act early, identify need and put the right support in place. You will influence how staff respond to learners and help build a consistent, inclusive culture across the provision.

About the Role

This role sits within our new Connect2 SEMH provision and is focused on engagement, triage and early intervention. You will be based within a dedicated hub, acting as a key point of contact for learners who need support to access and sustain their learning.

This is a new and developing provision, which gives you the opportunity to shape systems, support pathways and learner experience from the start. You will work closely with curriculum teams, support services and external partners to ensure learners receive the right support at the right time.

This role offers strong development opportunities in SEND practice, multi-agency working and trauma-informed approaches. You will contribute to staff development and help embed inclusive practice across the college.

Role Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for learners, completing triage, initial assessments and identifying support needs
• Provide short-term interventions, emotional regulation support and clear signposting to services
• Work with curriculum staff and support staff to remove barriers and improve learner engagement
• Use data and learner information to identify risk and track engagement and progress
• Deliver guidance and training to staff to support inclusive practice and early identification of need
• Build effective relationships with families and external agencies to support learner progression

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Learning Support, Youth Work, Health and Social Care or related field
• Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent)
• Experience supporting learners with SEND, particularly SEMH needs
• Experience carrying out assessments, triage or structured learner support
• Experience working with multi-agency services and signposting support
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with learners and families
• Ability to use data to identify need and inform support strategies
• Ability to manage records accurately and work to deadlinesn

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.
• Free Gym access available at Bede Campus

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.

We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.

As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.