SEMH Practitioner - (Ball Green Primary School)

Wmjobs; Hempstalls; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

OPUS at Ball Green Primary Academy is seeking an experienced lead practitioner for SEMH provision to plan, develop and deliver an ambitious curriculum across the provision. You will adapt learning to meet individual starting points, monitor progress and maintain records of achievement to support reintegration into mainstream settings.

You will provide targeted SEMH interventions, build positive relationships with pupils and collaborate with schools, families and professionals to ensure

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of working with primary-aged children, especially SEMH/SEND or behavioural needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead role in planning, developing and delivering an ambitious curriculum for OPUS pupils.
• Plan sequences of learning considering starting points, attainment and SEMH needs.
• Deliver high-quality learning with focus on literacy and maths; assess and plan next steps.

Skills

SEMH/SEND experience

Job description

About Us

OPUS at Ball Green Primary Academy [Member of the Societas Trust} is an established alternative provision for children ‘at risk’ of exclusion, or those who have been permanently excluded, from Key Stage 1 and/or Key Stage 2 mainstream schools.

OPUS is a place where children are supported socially, emotionally and academically to prepare them for reintegration back into mainstream settings.

The OPUS team are passionate about ALL children fulfilling their potential and providing a fresh start for them within a caring and supportive environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced education, inclusion, SEND or pastoral professional who can provide strong leadership while ensuring that children remain at the heart of everything we do.

Our provision supports primary-aged pupils who, for a variety of reasons, may be experiencing difficulties accessing or engaging successfully with mainstream education. We are looking for someone who understands that behaviour is often a form of communication and who can combine high expectations with a supportive, relational and inclusive approach. You will be part of a dedicated team to provide a safe, structured and nurturing environment in which pupils can re‑engage with learning, develop positive relationships and make progress towards successful reintegration or transition.

About this Role

Working closely with the OPUS Manager and other SEMH Practitioners, you will take a lead practitioner role in the planning, development and delivery of the curriculum across the provision.

You will plan and deliver high-quality, engaging learning experiences that are appropriately ambitious and adapted to meet pupils’ individual starting points, learning needs and SEMH needs.

You will use assessment effectively to identify gaps in learning, establish appropriate baselines, monitor progress and plan pupils’ next steps. You will maintain clear records of achievement and provide evidence of the progress pupils make during their placement.

A key part of the role will be developing individualised learning programmes for pupils who may have experienced disrupted education, low engagement, SEND, difficulties with emotional regulation or negative experiences of learning.

You will ensure that literacy and maths remain central to pupils’ learning while providing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum that promotes personal development, creativity, confidence and curiosity.

Alongside curriculum delivery, you will provide skilled SEMH support. You will build positive and consistent relationships with pupils, helping them to recognise and manage emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation, improve engagement and experience success.

You will work closely with schools, families and other professionals to understand each child’s needs and contribute to assessment, planning, reviews and reintegration.

Key responsibilities

• take a lead role in planning, developing and delivering an appropriate, engaging and ambitious curriculum for pupils attending OPUS;
• plan sequences of learning that take account of pupils’ starting points, prior attainment, identified learning gaps, SEND and SEMH needs;
• deliver high-quality learning across appropriate areas of the primary curriculum, with a strong focus on literacy and maths;
• assess pupils’ learning on entry and throughout their placement, using assessment information to plan teaching, intervention and next steps;
• develop personalised learning programmes and adapt teaching approaches and resources to meet individual needs;
• monitor, record and evaluate pupils’ educational progress and provide clear information to the Provision Manager, schools, families and relevant professionals;
• identify barriers to learning and develop practical strategies and interventions to improve pupils’ engagement, confidence and achievement;
• provide targeted SEMH interventions and support pupils to develop emotional literacy, self-regulation, resilience, positive relationships and readiness to learn;
• establish safe, consistent and trusting relationships with pupils while maintaining clear expectations and appropriate professional boundaries;
• use positive, relational and restorative approaches to support behaviour and engagement;
• understand how SEND, communication needs, trauma and adverse experiences may affect a child’s presentation and access to learning, and adapt practice appropriately;
• contribute to individual pupil plans, risk assessments, behaviour/support plans and other relevant documentation;
• work collaboratively with the OPUS Manager, SEMH Practitioner, schools and other professionals to ensure pupils receive coordinated and consistent support;
• contribute to multi‑agency and pupil review meetings, providing clear information about learning, progress, engagement and identified needs;
• establish constructive relationships with parents and carers and provide appropriate information about their child’s learning and progress;
• contribute to planning and preparing pupils for successful reintegration into mainstream education or transition to another appropriate setting;
• liaise with receiving schools to share relevant information about attainment, successful strategies, interventions and ongoing learning needs;
• maintain accurate records and contribute to the provision’s monitoring and evaluation of pupil outcomes;
• contribute ideas and professional expertise to the continuing development and improvement of the curriculum and wider provision;
• support colleagues by sharing effective strategies and modelling positive approaches to learning, behaviour and SEMH support;
• maintain a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment;
• recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following organisational child protection procedures at all times; and
• undertake relevant professional development to maintain and develop knowledge of curriculum practice, SEND, SEMH, safeguarding and alternative provision.

About You

We are looking for someone who has substantial experience of working with primary-aged children, particularly pupils with SEMH, SEND, behavioural or other additional needs.

You will have a strong understanding of the primary curriculum and the knowledge and confidence to take responsibility for planning and delivering learning that is appropriately challenging while remaining accessible to pupils with a wide range of starting points.

You will understand assessment and be able to use it effectively to identify gaps, demonstrate progress and inform future planning.

You will be creative and flexible in your approach. Some of our pupils may arrive believing that education is not for them, so you will need to find different ways of helping them experience success and rediscover an interest in learning.

You will understand that behaviour communicates need and will be able to look beyond the presenting behaviour to consider what may be preventing a child from successfully engaging with learning.

You will be calm, resilient and reflective and able to respond professionally when pupils are experiencing difficulty regulating their emotions or behaviour.

You will also be an effective communicator who can build constructive relationships with children, families, schools and other professionals.

Why Join us?

This is an opportunity to work with a small number of pupils where you can have a genuine impact on both their educational progress and their wider development.

You will have the opportunity to use your professional knowledge creatively, developing learning experiences around the needs of individual children rather than expecting children to fit a single approach.

You will work as part of a committed team with a shared aim: to help children re‑engage with education, experience success and develop the skills and confidence they need for their next steps.

Safeguarding:

Ball Green Primary Academy is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and all shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self‑declaration and be subject to references and online social media checks. Appointment to the post will be subject to all other necessary pre‑employment checks including a satisfactory enhanced check by the Disclosure & Barring Service.

To comply with Asylum and Immigration legislation you will be required (if appointed) to provide one or more documents from the Immigration Act 2006 - List A and B. You must provide proof of current and valid permission to be in the United Kingdom and valid permission to do the type of work offered. Further information is available at: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/

Closing date:Monday 12th October 3.30pm

Shortlisting date: Monday 12th October

Interview date: Friday 16th October