Child Friend – Primary SEND School

Location: Haywards Heath
Travel: Must be able to drive
Pay: £360 - £460 per week
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Hours: Monday - Friday (Full-Time)
DBS Requirement: Enhanced Child Workforce DBS
Experience: Previous SEND or Behaviour Support experience preferred

Child Friend – Haywards Heath

Teaching Personnel is working in partnership with a caring and supportive Primary Special Educational Needs (SEND) school in the Haywards Heath area, who are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Child Friend to join their team on a full-time, temporary-to-permanent basis.

This rewarding opportunity is perfect for individuals who are passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and making a lasting impact on their lives. As a Child Friend, your primary responsibility will be to provide consistent 1:1 support to primary-aged boys with Special Educational Needs who may have experienced challenging upbringings, adverse childhood experiences, or difficult backgrounds.

You will become a trusted adult in each child's school day, helping them feel safe, valued, and understood while supporting their emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and engagement with learning.

The Role

As a Child Friend, you will work closely with individual pupils to develop trusting relationships that encourage positive outcomes both inside and outside the classroom. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing dedicated 1:1 support to primary-aged boys with Special Educational Needs.

• Building strong, positive relationships with pupils who may have experienced challenging life circumstances or trauma.

• Creating a safe, calm, and nurturing environment where children feel supported and able to succeed.

• Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions and develop positive coping strategies.

• Using patience, empathy, and effective de-escalation techniques when behaviour becomes heightened.

• Encouraging pupils to engage positively in classroom activities, social interactions, and school life.

• Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to provide consistent support tailored to each child's needs.

• Acting as a positive role model by promoting respect, resilience, confidence, and emotional wellbeing throughout the school day.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs, behavioural needs, or social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

• Understands the impact that difficult childhood experiences can have on behaviour and emotional regulation.

• Is calm, patient, and resilient, with the ability to remain composed in challenging situations.

• Has excellent communication skills and can build genuine, trusting relationships with primary-aged children.

• Is confident using positive behaviour management and de-escalation strategies.

• Holds (or is willing to obtain) an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS.

• Can commit to working full-time, Monday to Friday.

• Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle due to the school's location.

What We Offer

• Competitive weekly pay of £360 - £460.

• A temporary-to-permanent opportunity with a welcoming and supportive SEND school.

• Ongoing guidance and support from your dedicated Teaching Personnel consultant.

• Access to specialist training and continuous professional development within SEND education.

• The opportunity to become a trusted adult and make a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of children who need it most.

If you're a calm, compassionate, and resilient individual who believes every child deserves a positive role model and someone who understands them, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to begin a rewarding career as a Child Friend with Teaching Personnel and help shape brighter futures for children with additional needs.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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