Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Senploy; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

Inspire EHC near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is seeking a Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor to work with pupils with SEMH, ASD and other learning needs.

You will support pupils in lessons, build relationships, use trauma-informed approaches, and collaborate with teachers, therapists and SEN professionals to provide consistent support.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils with SEN, SEMH or Autism.
• Experience working in a school environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEN, SEMH and Autism.
• Support pupils within lessons, helping them access learning alongside the class teacher.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Use calm, de-escalation techniques when required to maintain a safe environment.

Skills

SEN experience

Behaviour management

Trauma-informed practice

Strong communication

Education

GCSE Maths and English

Job description

Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor - Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Position: Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor / SEN Support

Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00

Contract: Ongoing temporary with potential for permanent employment

Start Date: November 2026 or as soon as possible

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, SEN Support Assistant, Behaviour Mentor or Nurture Practitioner looking for a rewarding role supporting children and young people with additional needs?

Inspire EHC is recruiting a Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor to join a supportive specialist school near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism (ASD) and other additional learning needs.

You will play an important role in helping pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn, while developing positive relationships and helping them overcome barriers to education.

About the Role - Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor

As a Nurture and Behaviour Support Mentor, you will work closely with teachers, therapists and the wider SEN team to provide consistent, nurturing support to children and young people with SEMH, Autism and complex additional needs.

The school follows a trauma-informed approach and places strong emphasis on emotional regulation, positive behaviour support, wellbeing and personalised learning.

This role would suit someone who is calm, patient and resilient, with a genuine passion for supporting children who may have experienced difficulties within mainstream education.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEN, SEMH and Autism.
• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEN, SEMH and Autism.
• Support pupils within lessons, helping them access learning alongside the class teacher.
• Support pupils within lessons, helping them access learning alongside the class teacher.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and positive behaviour support strategies.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and positive behaviour support strategies.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation and coping strategies.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation and coping strategies.
• Support children and young people who may display challenging behaviour.
• Support children and young people who may display challenging behaviour.
• Use calm, consistent and effective de-escalation techniques when required.
• Use calm, consistent and effective de-escalation techniques when required.
• Support teachers with individual learning plans, interventions and personalised activities.
• Support teachers with individual learning plans, interventions and personalised activities.
• Encourage independence, confidence, social interaction and engagement with learning.
• Encourage independence, confidence, social interaction and engagement with learning.
• Deliver structured, creative and nurturing activities that support learning and development.
• Deliver structured, creative and nurturing activities that support learning and development.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and other SEN professionals to provide consistent support.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and other SEN professionals to provide consistent support.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate and adaptable individual who is passionate about working with children and young people with additional needs.

You may have experience as a:

• SEN Teaching Assistant
• SEN Teaching Assistant
• Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant
• Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant
• SEMH Teaching Assistant
• SEMH Teaching Assistant
• SEN Support Worker
• SEN Support Worker
• Learning Support Worker
• Learning Support Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• Youth Worker
• Youth Worker
• Pastoral Support Worker
• Pastoral Support Worker

Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, Autism, ASD, challenging behaviour or additional learning needs is highly desirable.

You will ideally have:

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or equivalent.
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or equivalent.
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEN, SEMH or Autism.
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEN, SEMH or Autism.
• A calm, patient and understanding approach.
• A calm, patient and understanding approach.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to build positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• The ability to build positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• An understanding of positive behaviour support and de-escalation.
• An understanding of positive behaviour support and de-escalation.
• Knowledge or experience of trauma-informed practice is desirable.
• Knowledge or experience of trauma-informed practice is desirable.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to supporting individual needs.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to supporting individual needs.
• The ability to commute to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
• The ability to commute to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

About the School

Our partner school near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, provides specialist education for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism and other additional learning needs.

The school offers a nurturing and trauma-informed environment, with small class sizes and a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour, confidence and engagement with learning.

Teachers and support staff work closely with therapists and other professionals to provide personalised support and help pupils develop the skills they need both in education and in everyday life.

Why Work with Inspire EHC?

At Inspire EHC, we specialise in SEN and specialist education recruitment, supporting schools and candidates across Suffolk and the surrounding areas.

As an Inspire EHC candidate, you will receive:

• A dedicated recruitment consultant who understands your experience and career goals.

• A dedicated recruitment consultant who understands your experience and career goals.

• Access to over 20 free CPD training courses.

• Access to over 20 free CPD training courses.

• Training opportunities including safeguarding, behaviour management and trauma-informed practice.

• Training opportunities including safeguarding, behaviour management and trauma-informed practice.

• Weekly PAYE pay with no hidden umbrella company fees.

• Weekly PAYE pay with no hidden umbrella company fees.

• Ongoing support throughout your placement.

• Ongoing support throughout your placement.

• Opportunities to secure permanent positions within SEN and specialist education.

• Opportunities to secure permanent positions within SEN and specialist education.

• Access to a range of SEN, SEMH, Autism and specialist education opportunities across Suffolk.

• Access to a range of SEN, SEMH, Autism and specialist education opportunities across Suffolk.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspire EHC and our partner schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All successful applicants will be required to have, or be willing to obtain, an enhanced DBS check and provide two professional references.

Inspire EHC is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.