SEMH Specialist Behaviour & Inclusion Mentor

Tradewind Recruitment; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking an experienced SEMH Specialist to join a Blackpool secondary academy’s inclusion team from September 2026, supporting pupils aged 11–16 with SEMH, trauma and behaviour challenges.

You will deliver 1-to-1 and small-group nurture, support inclusion in classrooms, use de-escalation techniques, and collaborate with SENCOs, Educational Psychologists and external agencies to help students re-engage with education.

Qualifications

• Proven practical experience supporting children or teenagers with SEMH needs, complex trauma, or severe behavioural challenges.
• Background in specialist schools, alternative provision/PRUs, youth justice, residential care, sports mentorship, or psychological support.
• Strong de-escalation skills and emotional resilience with an empathetic, non-judgemental approach.
• Positive handling training (e.g., Team Teach, Safety-Care, MAPA) is highly desirable.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to process a check before September).

Responsibilities

• 1-to-1 & Small Group Nurture: Deliver structured pastoral interventions and emotion coaching to help students identify triggers and coping strategies.
• Inclusion Suite & Classroom Support: Assist pupils in nurture rooms, sensory bases and mainstream classrooms to sustain focus.
• Proactive De-escalation: Use low-arousal techniques and safe handling to manage dysregulation and crises.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Work from a relational, trauma-informed perspective, recognizing behaviour as communication.
• Multi-Agency & Safeguarding Link: Collaborate with SENCOs, Heads of Year, Educational Psychologists and external agencies to track targets.

Skills

SEMH experience

De-escalation skills

Trauma-informed practice

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Enhanced DBS Update Service

Job description

Are you an experienced SEMH practitioner, youth worker, or resilient support assistant looking for a high-impact school role in Blackpool?

A dedicated secondary academy and specialist provision in Blackpool is recruiting a compassionate, proactive SEMH Specialist (Social, Emotional & Mental Health Support) to join their inclusion team starting this September 2026.

In this role, you will work closely with vulnerable young people (aged 11-16) who experience significant barriers to learning, including anxiety, developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation.

Position Overview:

• 1-to-1 & Small Group Nurture: Deliver structured pastoral interventions and emotion-coaching sessions to help students identify triggers and build coping strategies.

• Inclusion Suite & Classroom Support: Support pupils within nurture rooms, sensory bases, and mainstream classrooms to maintain focus and curriculum engagement.

• Proactive De-escalation: Apply low-arousal techniques and positive handling strategies (e.g., Team Teach, CPI, MAPA) to safely manage dysregulation and crisis moments.

• Trauma-Informed Practice: Work from a relational, trauma-informed perspective, treating behaviour as communication.

• Multi-Agency & Safeguarding Link: Collaborate with SENCOs, Heads of Year, Educational Psychologists, and external agencies to track targets on individual behaviour/EHCP plans.

Candidate Requirements:

• Proven practical experience supporting children or teenagers with SEMH needs, complex trauma, or severe behavioural challenges.

• Background in specialist schools, alternative provision/PRUs, youth justice, residential care, sports mentorship, or psychological support.

• Strong de-escalation skills and emotional resilience with an empathetic, non-judgemental approach.

• Positive handling training (e.g., Team Teach, Safety-Care, MAPA) is highly desirable.

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to process a check before September).

Why Apply for This Role?

• Consistent Schedule: Regular daytime weekday hours with no weekend or night shifts, plus 13 weeks of paid school holidays.

• Direct Daily Impact: Meaningful work helping local Blackpool youth re-engage with education and build long-term resilience.

• Supportive Environment: Work within a dedicated multi-disciplinary inclusion and pastoral department.

Help Blackpool secondary students build emotional resilience and achieve their potential.