Youth Support Worker

Vision for Education Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Vision for Education Ltd in Coventry is recruiting compassionate and resilient individuals to join our SEN Teaching Assistant supply team. You will support secondary students with SEMH needs across Coventry from October 2026, working on a flexible supply basis with opportunities to progress to long-term, part-time or full-time placements.

You will provide 1:1 or small group support, help manage emotional regulation and behaviour, and collaborate with teachers and other professionals to help

Qualifications

• 2+ years' experience supporting teenagers or young adults in roles such as Mental Health Support Worker, Youth Worker, or similar.
• Experience working with SEMH schools and challenging behaviour is highly desirable.
• Ability to de-escalate situations calmly and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Support students 1:1 or in small groups.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
• Support behaviour, emotional regulation and wellbeing.
• De-escalate challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• Encourage engagement, confidence and independence.
• Work closely with teachers and other professionals.

Skills

SEMH experience

Behaviour management

Student support

Relationship building

Calm under pressure

Job description

Youth Support Worker - Become a Teaching Assistant

Coventry | Flexible Supply Work | October 2026 Start

Ready for a career change?

If you have experience supporting teenagers or young adults with mental health needs, challenging behaviour or complex circumstances, your skills could be the perfect fit for a rewarding career in education.

Vision for Education is looking for compassionate and resilient individuals to join our SEN Teaching Assistant supply team, supporting specialist secondary SEMH schools across Coventry from October 2026.

As a leading education recruitment agency, we provide staff to SEND schools on a day-to-day basis. You'll initially join our supply register, offering flexible work around your availability, with regular opportunities to move into long-term, part-time or full-time school placements.

The Role

You'll support secondary-aged students with a range of SEMH and behavioural needs, including:

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
• Challenging or distressed behaviour
• Complex mental health needs
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting students 1:1 or in small groups
• Building positive, trusting relationships with young people
• Supporting behaviour, emotional regulation and wellbeing
• De-escalating challenging situations calmly and professionally
• Encouraging engagement, confidence and independence
• Working closely with teachers and other professionals

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applicants with 2+ years' experience working with teenagers or young adults in roles such as:

• Mental Health Support Worker
• Children's Residential Support Worker
• Support Worker working with Looked After Children
• Youth Worker or Youth Offending Support Worker
• Behaviour or SEMH Support Worker
• Care or Healthcare Assistant working with young people
• Or any similar youth, care, support or mental health role

Please note: applicants must have experience working with teenagers or young adults. Experience solely supporting elderly people will not be suitable for this role.

You'll be calm, resilient, patient and confident managing challenging behaviour, with a genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers and reach their potential.

Why Join Vision for Education?

• A rewarding career using your existing skills
• Flexible work to suit your lifestyle
• Experience within specialist SEMH education
• Opportunities to secure long-term and permanent roles
• Ongoing SEND and behaviour-focused training

What Vision for Education Offer

• Competitive pay rates
• FREE training and CPD
• Dedicated consultant support
• Long-term and permanent opportunities