PRU Behaviour Support Assistant

Behaviour Support Worker – Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)

Location: Manchester
Contract: Full‑time, long‑term
Start Date: ASAP
Employer: Teaching Personnel

Are you experienced in supporting young people with challenging behaviour? Teaching Personnel is looking for a committed and resilient Behaviour Support Worker to join a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in the Manchester area.

PRUs support pupils who have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion from mainstream school. Many students present with challenging behaviours linked to social, emotional, and mental health needs, including emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, trauma, attachment difficulties, defiance, risk-taking behaviours, and disengagement from learning. Your support will be key in helping them re-engage, rebuild confidence, and move forward positively.

⭐ Key Responsibilities

As a Behaviour Support Worker in a PRU, your role will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group behaviour support to pupils with significant behavioural and emotional needs.
• Using de-escalation, restorative approaches, and trauma-informed practice to manage challenging incidents safely and effectively.
• Building consistent, trusting relationships with pupils who may have limited trust in adults.
• Supporting teachers during lessons by encouraging engagement, focus, and positive behaviour.
• Helping pupils develop coping strategies, self-regulation skills, and positive decision-making.
• Implementing individual behaviour plans and contributing to behaviour assessments and intervention strategies.
• Supporting transitions both within the school day and between different learning environments.
• Working collaboratively with the pastoral team, SENCO, and external agencies to support the holistic needs of each pupil.

Requirements

This role requires previous experience working with young people who display challenging behaviour. Suitable backgrounds include:

• PRU, SEMH or alternative provision experience
• Youth work
• Behaviour mentoring
• Support work in residential care
• Sports coaching with behaviour management responsibilities
• Prison/probation services
• Community or outreach work

You will also need:

• Strong resilience, patience, and emotional intelligence
• Confidence in managing challenging situations calmly
• The ability to build rapport with disengaged or vulnerable young people
• An enhanced DBS (or willingness to apply)
• A full-time commitment

Why Work with Teaching Personnel?

When you join Teaching Personnel, you get more than just a job—you join a supportive network that helps you grow and succeed.

With Teaching Personnel, you’ll benefit from:
✔ A dedicated, specialist consultant supporting you throughout your placement
✔ Competitive weekly pay, paid via PAYE
✔ Access to a wide range of PRUs, SEMH schools, and alternative provisions across Manchester

Teaching Personnel has over 25 years of experience working with specialist provisions—we understand your skillset and match you to roles where you can truly make an impact.

Apply Today

If you're passionate about helping young people overcome barriers and thrive in their education, we would love to hear from you.

Apply with your CV today.

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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