Youth Worker Behaviour & Cover Support

Tradewind Recruitment; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment LTD. is seeking an experienced Youth Worker / Behavior Cover Support Specialist to join a vibrant secondary school in Blackpool. The role focuses on supervising classes, mentoring students with SEMH needs, and promoting positive behaviours during regular school hours.

The position is long-term and full-time, with competitive daily PAYE rates and no late evenings or weekends. Ideal for individuals with a background in youth work, community outreach, or residential care who

Qualifications

• Background in youth work, alternative provision, sports coaching, residential childcare, or community mentorship involving teenagers (ages 11-16).
• Experience supporting SEMH or behavioural challenges is beneficial.
• Capable of building trust and setting clear boundaries with students.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage whole-class groups during short-term teacher absence.
• Mentor and key worker for students with SEMH needs or behavioural challenges.
• Facilitate small-group or 1:1 reflection sessions focusing on emotional regulation and personal development.
• Apply youth-work strategies such as active listening and de-escalation to reduce classroom tension.
• Collaborate with pastoral staff to track engagement and wellbeing.
• Support pupils during break and lunch to foster positive school culture.

Skills

Youth work experience

Behaviour management

Restorative practice

Safeguarding awareness

Job description

Are you an experienced Youth Worker or Community Mentor looking to bring your relationship-building skills into a school setting?

We are recruiting a confident, grounded Youth Worker / Behaviour Cover Support Specialist to join a vibrant, inclusive secondary school in Blackpool.

This is a long-term, full-time role created for someone with a background in youth justice, youth clubs, community outreach, sports coaching, or residential care. You will bridge the gap between pastoral care and classroom learning-supervising classes, delivering targeted re-engagement work, and mentoring students who struggle within mainstream expectations.

If you know how to build trust, set firm boundaries, and help teenagers navigate the emotional and social hurdles that cause them to disengage, this role offers real daily impact without late evening or weekend shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage whole-class groups during short-term teacher absence, ensuring a focused, orderly learning environment.

• Act as a dedicated mentor and key worker for students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, low attendance, or persistent behavioural challenges.

• Facilitate small-group or 1:1 reflection sessions focused on emotional regulation, conflict resolution, restorative conversations, and personal development.

• Use proven youth-work strategies-active listening, de-escalation, and non-judgmental guidance-to de-fuse classroom tension.

• Collaborate closely with the pastoral heads of year, SENCO, and safeguarding leads to track student engagement and wellbeing.

• Support pupils during unstructured break and lunch times to build positive school community culture.

Candidate Requirements

• Experience: Background in youth work, alternative provision, sports coaching, residential childcare, pastoral support, or community mentorship involving teenagers (ages 11-16).

• Skills: Natural presence and confidence to stand in front of a class, command respect, and hold pupils accountable in a fair, supportive way.

• Mindset: Patient, resilient, authentic, and able to look past defiant behaviour to address root causes.

• Behaviour Management: Familiarity with restorative practice, trauma-informed care, or de-escalation techniques; Team Teach / positive handling training is highly desirable.

• Safeguarding: Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to complete one immediately) and verifiable employment references.

• Location: Based in or easily commutable across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast (FY1-FY4, Lytham, St Annes, Thornton-Cleveleys).

Why Take This Role?

• Regular School Hours: Consistent Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm schedule-no shift work, evening sessions, or weekend hours.

• Long-Term Consistency: A stable, ongoing school placement with genuine permanent contract opportunities.

• Competitive Daily Rates: Paid weekly via PAYE with clear transparent rates.

• Make a Local Difference: Directly impact young people across Blackpool who need positive, consistent adult role models.