Mental Health And Behaviour Support Buddy

AMA Admin; Ashington; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Fast-track compliance

Flexible working

Culture-matched placements

Job summary

Milk Education is recruiting a Mental Health & Behaviour Support Buddy to join a PRU in Ashington on a long-term basis. The role can be temporary, permanent, or temp-to-perm, and focuses on supporting students to develop healthy relationships and emotional regulation in a nurturing environment.

The role suits graduates or experienced staff exploring education, psychology, youth work, social work, or mental health pathways, with a collaborative, trauma-informed approach at the core.

Qualifications

• Degree in psychology, education, childhood studies, sociology, criminology, sports science, social work or related subject is desirable.
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH and behavioural needs is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience through youth work, mentoring, coaching or similar roles welcomed.
• A calm, resilient and patient approach with ability to manage challenging behaviour.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people to achieve positive outcomes.
• Confidence working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with students with SEMH needs.
• Provide one-to-one and small group mentoring to support emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
• Support students to regulate emotions using trauma-informed approaches.
• De-escalate challenging situations calmly and consistently.
• Encourage engagement in learning inside and outside the classroom.
• Work with teachers, pastoral teams and external professionals on support plans.
• Promote positive behaviour and personal development with clear expectations.
• Act as a positive role model to boost confidence and independence.
• Record and report student progress and wellbeing to aid interventions.

Skills

SEMH experience

Mentoring

Coaching

Youth work

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Calm under pressure

Patience

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

At Milk Education, we're more than a supply partner - we're a community that supports people who are passionate about making a difference. Join us and gain access to ongoing training, professional development opportunities, and dedicated support throughout your career.

We're currently recruiting for a Mental Health & Behaviour Support Buddy to work within a supportive Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Ashington on a long-term basis, starting in September. This role is available on a temporary, permanent or temp-to-perm basis.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support young people who have experienced barriers to mainstream education. You'll play a key role in helping students develop positive relationships, regulate their emotions, improve behaviour, and re-engage with learning in a safe, nurturing environment.

You'll be joining a dedicated and experienced staff team that is committed to trauma-informed practice, inclusion and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed both academically and personally.

This role is ideal for graduates or experienced support staff considering careers in education, educational psychology, youth work, social work, mental health services, counselling or criminal justice.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Building positive, trusting relationships with students who may present with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Providing one-to-one and small group mentoring to promote emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive behaviour.
• Supporting students to regulate emotions using restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
• Helping to de-escalate challenging situations while maintaining a calm, consistent and supportive presence.
• Encouraging engagement in learning by supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.
• Working closely with teachers, pastoral teams and external professionals to implement individual behaviour and support plans.
• Promoting positive behaviour, emotional regulation and personal development through consistent encouragement and clear expectations.
• Acting as a positive role model, helping students develop confidence, self-esteem and independence.
• Recording and reporting student progress, behaviour and wellbeing to support effective interventions.

Requirements or Skills:

• A degree in Psychology, Education, Childhood Studies, Sociology, Criminology, Sports Science, Social Work or another related subject is desirable.
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs), behavioural needs or additional learning needs is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience gained through youth work, mentoring, coaching, residential care, sports coaching, tutoring or similar transferable roles is welcomed.
• A calm, resilient and patient approach, with the ability to build positive relationships and manage challenging behaviour effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people to achieve positive outcomes.
• Confidence working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits:

• Competitive rates of pay with opportunities for permanent employment.
• Speedy registration process and fast-track compliance - APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment.
• Flexible working opportunities to suit your availability.
• Culture-matched placements - we take the time to understand you and place you in schools that align with your values and strength