Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Mentor

Tradewind Recruitment; Preston; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 weeks paid school holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking a PRU Behaviour Mentor / Alternative Provision Support Specialist in Preston for September 2026. You will provide 1-to-1 and small group mentoring to students aged 11-16 returning from exclusion or at risk of exclusion, using trauma-informed approaches and safeguarding training.

The role is Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, term-time only, with a PAYE day rate of £90–£110 depending on experience and training.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting disaffected youth in PRUs or similar settings.
• Trauma-informed approach with understanding ACEs and attachment issues.
• Certified positive handling training (Team Teach / MAPA / CPI) is advantageous.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service or willingness to apply.
• Strong communication, emotional resilience and patience.

Responsibilities

• 1-to-1 & small group mentoring to support students facing SEMH needs.
• De-escalation and crisis support using positive handling techniques.
• Assist subject teachers and instructors to keep pupils engaged in tasks.
• Support emotional regulation and development of coping strategies.
• Monitor progress and collaborate with SENCOs, social workers and youth services.

Skills

Trauma-informed

De-escalation

Crisis management

DBS check

Job description

Are you resilient, trauma-informed, and passionate about giving excluded young people a second chance at education?

A dedicated Alternative Provision / Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Preston, Lancashire is recruiting an experienced, calm, and proactive PRU Behaviour Mentor / Pastoral Support Assistant starting this September 2026.

This role involves supporting secondary-aged young people (11-16) who have been excluded from mainstream education or are at risk of permanent exclusion. If you come from a background in alternative provision, youth justice, residential care, sports mentorship, or military/security transition, your skills in de-escalation and rapport-building will make an immediate impact.

Position Overview:

Job Title: PRU Behaviour Mentor / Alternative Provision Support Specialist

Location: Preston, Lancashire (Easily commutable via M6, M55, A59, and Preston Railway Station)

Start Date: September 2026

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Term-time only - 30 to 32.5 hours/week)

Pay Rate: £90.00 - £110.00+ per day (PAYE, based on experience and restraint/de-escalation training)

Contract Type: Full-time, long-term placement for the 2026/27 academic year with permanent contract routes

Key Responsibilities:

• 1-to-1 & Small Group Mentoring: Deliver structured pastoral guidance and re-engagement sessions to students facing severe SEMH needs, complex trauma, ACEs, and challenging behaviours.
• De-escalation & Crisis Support: Identify early behavioural triggers and apply positive handling/de-escalation techniques (Team Teach / MAPA / CPI) to maintain a safe, low-arousal environment.
• Classroom & Workshop Assistance: Support subject teachers and vocational instructors (construction, mechanics, sports, creative arts) to keep pupils focused on practical and academic tasks.
• Emotional Regulation: Help students understand and regulate intense emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build self-worth.
• Reintegration & Progress Tracking: Work alongside SENCOs, social workers, and youth offending teams to monitor individual behaviour plans and support pathways back into mainstream or vocational settings.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience supporting disaffected youth, excluded students, or vulnerable teenagers in PRUs, AP academies, residential care homes, or community outreach.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, attachment disorders, and the root causes of anti-social or defiant behaviour.
• Certified positive handling training (e.g., Team Teach, MAPA, CPI, Safety-Care) is highly advantageous (training updates can be provided).
• Firm, fair, and consistent communication style with high emotional resilience and a good sense of humour.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to process a check before start).

Why Join This Preston Alternative Provision Team?

Direct Daily Impact: Work with smaller class sizes (typically 4-8 students per group) where individual relationship-building thrives.

Predictable Sociable Schedule: Sociable daytime weekday hours with no evening or weekend shifts, plus 13 weeks of paid school holidays.

Professional Development: Advanced training in SEMH, safeguarding, and specialised behaviour management.

Help vulnerable young people in Preston reset their direction and rebuild their future.