Mental Health Support Worker – Secondary PRU
Location: Central Manchester
Employer: Teaching Personnel
Contract: Full‑time, long‑term
Start date: Immediately
Teaching Personnel are looking to appoint a dedicated and resilient Mental Health Support Worker to join a Secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in the central Manchester area. Pupils within this provision often present with a range of SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs, including anxiety, low self‑esteem, emotion‑based school avoidance, trauma‑related behaviours, attachment difficulties, behavioural challenges, and mental health conditions such as depression or emotional dysregulation. This is a rewarding role for someone passionate about helping young people rebuild confidence, regulate emotions, and re-engage positively with education.
About the Role
As a Mental Health Support Worker, you will play a key part in supporting students who require additional emotional, behavioural and therapeutic guidance. Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing 1:1 and small‑group emotional and behavioural support to pupils with complex SEMH needs.
- Building strong, trusting relationships to help pupils feel safe, understood, and valued.
- Supporting students in lessons, helping them regulate emotions and remain engaged in learning.
- Using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches to manage challenging behaviour.
- Delivering targeted interventions focused on emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and positive communication.
- Assisting in crisis situations by providing calm, supportive de‑escalation.
- Following individual behaviour plans, EHCP targets, and safeguarding procedures.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, SENCOs, counsellors, and external agencies.
- Monitoring progress and maintaining detailed notes on student wellbeing and behaviour.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience working with SEMH, behavioural challenges, mental health needs, or vulnerable young people.
- Strong understanding of trauma‑informed practice, attachment theory, or restorative approaches.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to remain calm, patient, and empathetic.
- Confidence supporting young people who may present with challenging or dysregulated behaviour.
- A passion for helping disengaged learners re-connect with education.
- Flexibility, resilience, and a nurturing, non‑judgemental approach.
- A Child Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply through Teaching Personnel).
Why Work with Teaching Personnel?
- Competitive weekly pay reflective of experience.
- A dedicated SEN and PRU specialist consultant supporting you throughout.
- Opportunities for CPD, including De‑escalation, Safeguarding, Mental Health Awareness, and Trauma‑informed Practice training.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to vulnerable young people across Manchester.
How to Apply
If you’re passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs and want a role where you can create real, long‑term impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV through Teaching Personnel to start immediately.
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.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.
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