Youth Support Worker – SEN & SEMH School | Manchester | Primary & Secondary | Full-Time | September & Immediate Starts Available

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential? Do you have experience working with young people through education, care, youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, or support work?

Teaching Personnel are currently recruiting for a Youth Support Worker to join a highly supportive SEN and SEMH school in Manchester, supporting both primary and secondary-aged pupils. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people who require additional support to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

About the School

This specialist provision supports pupils with a range of additional needs, including Autism (ASC), ADHD, SEMH needs, social communication difficulties, attachment needs, and challenging behaviour. The school prides itself on creating a nurturing, structured, and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and supported to reach their individual potential.

With small class sizes, high staff-to-pupil ratios, and a strong focus on wellbeing and personal development, the school provides pupils with the tools they need to build confidence, resilience, and independence. Staff work collaboratively to ensure every child receives personalised support tailored to their needs.

The school benefits from excellent facilities, including sensory spaces, intervention rooms, outdoor learning areas, and therapeutic support services. The leadership team is highly supportive and committed to staff development and wellbeing.

The Role

As a Youth Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils both academically and emotionally. You will work closely with teaching staff, pastoral teams, therapists, and SEN professionals to help pupils regulate emotions, engage with learning, and develop positive relationships.

This role may involve classroom support, 1:1 interventions, small group work, mentoring, and supporting pupils during unstructured times throughout the school day.

Key Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEN and SEMH needs across primary and secondary age groups
• Build positive and trusting relationships with young people
• Provide 1:1 and small group support both in and outside the classroom
• Support emotional regulation, wellbeing, and positive behaviour
• Deliver mentoring and intervention sessions focused on confidence, engagement, and personal development
• Assist with implementing EHCP targets and support plans
• Help pupils develop social skills, communication skills, and independence
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, pastoral staff, and families
• Promote a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment

Who We're Looking For

• Experience working with children or young people in education, youth work, care, coaching, mentoring, residential care, mental health support, or similar settings
• A genuine passion for supporting young people with additional needs
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A patient, resilient, and adaptable approach
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations
• Positive role model with a proactive attitude
• Experience with SEN, SEMH, autism, or behaviour support is desirable but not essential

What the School Offers

• A welcoming and experienced leadership team
• Ongoing training in SEN, SEMH, behaviour management, safeguarding, and autism awareness
• Excellent support from experienced staff and specialist professionals
• Opportunities for progression within education and pastoral support roles
• Small class sizes and strong staff-to-pupil ratios
• Well-resourced learning environments and specialist facilities
• A positive and collaborative school culture
• On-site parking and excellent public transport links

Why Work Through Teaching Personnel?

As the UK's leading education recruitment agency, Teaching Personnel provides ongoing support throughout your placement. Our specialist SEN and SEMH team works exclusively with schools supporting pupils with additional needs, giving you access to a wide range of rewarding opportunities. We also offer CPD courses, safeguarding training, career guidance, and long-term progression opportunities.

Additional Information

• Full-time position
• September and immediate starts available
• Competitive daily pay based on experience
• Potential temp-to-perm and permanent opportunities
• Monday to Friday school hours

If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can positively impact the lives of children and young people every day, we would love to hear from you.

Important: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. An enhanced DBS on the Update Service is required (or willingness to obtain one). Applicants who have lived outside the UK for more than three months within the last five years may be required to provide an overseas police clearance.

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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