SEMH Secondary Mental Health Support Worker

SEMH Secondary Mental Health Support Worker (Graduates & Transferable Skills Welcome)

Are you passionate about working with young people with challenging behaviour?

We are recruiting a compassionate and resilient SEMH Secondary Mental Health Support Worker to join a supportive specialist secondary SEMH setting in Greater Manchester, working with pupils aged 11 to 18. This is a highly rewarding role for someone who is passionate about helping children build emotional resilience, improve wellbeing and re-engage with education in a safe, structured environment.

The school supports pupils with a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, which may include emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, attachment needs, trauma-related behaviours, low self-esteem, challenging behaviour and difficulties building positive relationships. Many pupils benefit from consistent routines, clear boundaries and calm adult support to help them feel secure and ready to learn.

You will work closely with an experienced and collaborative staff team, including class teachers, SEMH teaching assistants, SENCOs, pastoral staff, behaviour mentors and external professionals. The school has excellent facilities to support pupils’ wellbeing and regulation, including sensory and calm spaces, intervention rooms, outdoor learning areas and structured breakout provisions, all designed to help pupils manage emotions and access learning successfully.

This role is open to anyone with transferable skills from settings such as care, youth work, mentoring, support work, coaching or community roles. It is also a fantastic work experience opportunity for graduates, particularly those with degrees in Psychology, Education, Social Care, Criminology or Childhood Studies, who are looking to build experience before moving into teaching, educational psychology, mental health services or therapy-based careers.

The school is easily accessible by public transport and provides parking for those who drive. The right candidate has the opportunity to progress to a temp to perm contract, based on experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support to pupils with SEMH and mental health needs
• Support pupils with emotional regulation strategies, coping tools and positive routines
• Build strong, consistent relationships to help pupils feel safe and supported
• Assist pupils to access learning by reducing barriers linked to behaviour and wellbeing
• Support during transitions, breaktimes and unstructured periods where pupils may struggle
• Work alongside teachers and pastoral staff to follow behaviour plans and support strategies
• Promote positive behaviour, confidence, communication and social skills
• Help maintain a calm, safe and structured environment throughout the school day

Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people, or transferable experience from care/support roles
• Graduates in Psychology, Education or Social Care are strongly encouraged to apply
• Calm, patient and resilient approach with a genuine passion for supporting wellbeing
• Confidence supporting behaviour in a positive, consistent and relationship-led way
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply)
• Right to work in the UK

If you are looking for a meaningful role where you can make a real impact on children’s lives while gaining valuable SEMH and mental health experience, we would love to hear from you. Apply today with your up-to-date CV.

When applying through Teaching Personnel, an enhanced DBS on the update service is a required document. If you do not have one already, you will be asked to apply for one through Teaching Personnel before you are able to start in a position.

Any applicants that have been out of the UK for more than 3 months over the past 5 years will be asked to provide an overseas criminal clearance check. If you do not already have one of these, please apply for this before applying to this role

All applicants must have a permanent residence and right to work in the UK. If you are currently based in another country, please do not apply for these roles as we will not be able to process your application.

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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