Engagement Support Assistant

TES FE News; Derby; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Derby is seeking Engagement Support Assistants to support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. You will work closely with teachers to create a nurturing environment for learning. Ideal candidates will have a Level 3 qualification and experience with post-16 students. Benefits include generous holiday, pension contributions, and ongoing professional development.

Benefits

34 days holiday (pro-rata)

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounts on railway annual season tickets

Free Microsoft Office with OneDrive storage

Continuous development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of emotional regulation strategies.
• Experience supporting post-16 students with SEMH needs.
• Ability to independently plan, deliver, and evaluate interventions.

Responsibilities

• Support learning and development of students with SEMH needs.
• Lead small group and one-to-one support sessions.
• Promote positive emotional well-being and behavior.

Skills

Emotional regulation strategies

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Experience with SEMH needs

Education

Level 3 vocational qualification

Mental Health First Aider certification

Job description

Job Overview

Optimistic – Equity – Kindness – Innovation – Collaboration

Derby College Group (DCG) are recruiting Engagement Support Assistants across our amazing provisions and incredible college sites. If you would like to visit the site and meet the team before applying, please reach out to [e-mail].

We Are Looking For Engagement Support Assistants At

Joseph Wright Centre - Theoretical and vocational site, which includes supporting curriculum areas such as A Levels and performing arts.

Roundhouse Campus - Practical and vocational site, which includes supporting curriculum areas such as construction and engineering.

Broomfield Hall - Practical and vocational site, which includes an open campus to the public from the working livestock and farm.

Pathways Provision (based a Broomfield Hall) - Pathway to Independence is a personalised programme for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Steps Provision (based at Roundhouse) - Steps is a personalised programme for those who feel they need support to enter the world of work, to set a future career pathway and to progress their studies.

Routes Provision (based at Roundhouse) - innovative new programme tailored for students on Level 1 courses, many of whom have experienced barriers to learning.

The Opportunity

In this role you will support the learning and development of students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs or those requiring behaviour support. By working closely with teachers and staff, you will play a key role in helping students overcome barriers to learning through the delivery of personalised interventions. You will lead small group and one-to-one support sessions, creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally. Through your efforts, you will promote positive emotional well-being and behaviour across the college, making a lasting impact on students’ educational journeys and personal growth.

For a full explanation of the roles and responsibilities, please click here.

About You

You will have a strong understanding of emotional regulation strategies and deregulation, you can independently plan, deliver, and evaluate interventions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. You will have experience supporting post-16 students with SEMH and behaviour support needs in classroom settings, as well as working with students in small groups and independently. You will hold a Level 3 vocational qualification, and a Mental Health First Aider certification (or willingness to work towards it).

• For a full explanation of the Person Specification, please click here.
  
  

The Benefits

• 34 days holiday (inclusive of 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days where these occur) pro rata
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 20.5% employer contribution
• Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
• TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card) / discounted Tastecard
• Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
• Microsoft Office for FREE with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
• Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
• Flint Bishop Solicitors – free will writing, 1-hour free consultation with family department, 10% discount on Conveyancing services
• Continuous development and progression opportunities
• Free eye tests with Specsavers
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
  
  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, reasonable adjustments, or about the role, please contact us at [e-mail].

Safeguarding statement

DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. An online search of the preferred candidate is also completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

If you require visa sponsorship

Please note that unfortunately, this role is ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a PSL of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list.