SEMH Student Engagement Mentor

Secondary SEMH School | Tameside

Some young people need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves.

Could that someone be you?

We are looking for a Student Engagement Mentor to join our specialist secondary SEMH school in Tameside.

This is a role for someone who understands that progress isn't always measured by grades. Sometimes it’s a student walking through the school gate when they didn’t want to. Sometimes it’s staying calm instead of walking out. Sometimes it’s completing a piece of work, making a positive choice or simply trusting an adult enough to ask for help.

You’ll be the person helping make those moments happen.

What makes this role different?

As a Student Engagement Mentor, you’ll work alongside teachers, pastoral staff and the wider school team to help young people who may have struggled to engage with education in the past.

You’ll build genuine, positive relationships with students and become a consistent, trusted adult in their school day.

You might be:

• Meeting and checking in with students at the start of the day.

• Supporting students to re-engage with learning.

• Providing one-to-one and small-group mentoring.

• Helping young people recognise and manage their emotions.

• Encouraging positive choices and celebrating progress.

• Supporting students when they are dysregulated or experiencing difficulties.

• Helping students develop confidence, resilience and independence.

• Working with students who may have experienced significant barriers to education.

• Supporting pupils with attendance, motivation and engagement.

• Helping young people identify their strengths, interests and future aspirations.

• Working closely with teachers, families and professionals to provide consistent support.

Every day will be different. Every student will be different.

And that's exactly what makes the role so rewarding.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who can connect with young people without judging them.

Someone who can be firm when needed, but compassionate always.

You might already have experience working in an SEMH, SEN, education, youth work, care or community setting. Or perhaps you have experience working with young people in another environment and know that your biggest strength is your ability to build relationships.

Most importantly, you will be:

• Positive, patient and emotionally resilient.

• Confident building relationships with teenagers.

• Calm and consistent, even when situations become challenging.

• Able to set boundaries while maintaining positive relationships.

• A good listener who takes time to understand what is behind a behaviour.

• Creative in finding ways to engage students.

• A strong communicator and team player.

• Committed to helping young people reach their potential.

• Someone who celebrates progress — however big or small.

More than a job

Working in an SEMH school isn't always easy.

There will be challenging days. There will be setbacks. There will be moments when you wonder whether you're making a difference.

Then a student who previously wouldn't enter a classroom walks in.

A young person who didn't trust adults starts talking to you.

A student who struggled to regulate their emotions begins using the strategies you've taught them.

And you realise you are making a difference.

That's what makes this role so special.

What we can offer you

In return for your commitment, you'll become part of a supportive team that understands the importance of relationships, consistency and staff wellbeing.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a genuine difference to young people's lives.

• Develop your career within specialist SEMH education.

• Work alongside experienced education and pastoral professionals.

• Develop your understanding of behaviour, emotional regulation and trauma-informed practice.

• Build skills that can open doors to future roles within education, youth work and pastoral support.

• Be part of a school where progress is celebrated and every young person is given another chance to succeed.

Location

Tameside, Greater Manchester

⭐ Could you be the person who makes the difference?

If you’re looking for a role where you can connect, inspire, challenge and encourage young people — and where no two days are the same — we'd love to hear from you.

You don't have to be perfect.

You don't have to have all the answers.

You just need to care, be consistent and believe that every young person can make progress.

If that sounds like you, apply today and become part of a team helping young people rewrite their story.

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.
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