1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant

We are recruiting a dedicated, resilient 1:1 Behaviour Support Mentor / Teaching Assistant to join an established Alternative Provision in Blackpool. You will be working on a direct 1:1 basis with a secondary-aged pupil presenting with complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated challenging behaviours.

Traditional classroom experience is not required . We are actively seeking individuals with strong life experience, calm authority, and natural mentoring ability who can build trust, establish boundaries, and help a disengaged learner re-access education.

This role is ideal for candidates from backgrounds such as:

• Ex-Military / Armed Forces: Bringing structure, disciplined calm, reliability, and natural presence.
• Youth Work / Community Outreach: Skilled in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and connecting with teenagers who feel let down by the system.
• Children's Residential Care: Experienced with trauma-informed care, high safeguarding standards, and remaining composed during crisis points.
• Sports Coaching / Behaviour Mentoring: Able to use practical engagement and routine to redirect frustration into positive focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 emotional, behavioural, and pastoral support throughout the school day.
• Build a rapport based on mutual respect, consistency, and clear daily expectations.
• Implement proactive de-escalation strategies to manage deregulated behaviour safely.
• Support the pupil in vocational sessions, practical activities, and core lessons.
• Work closely with the class teacher, SENDCo, and pastoral team to track progress.

What We Are Looking For

• A patient, firm, and non-judgemental mindset-someone who doesn't take behaviour personally and treats every day as a clean slate.
• Proven experience supporting vulnerable, at-risk, or challenging young people or working in high-structure team environments.
• Strong communication skills with an instinctive ability to de-escalate heightened situations.
• Team Teach, MAPA/Price, or physical intervention training is an advantage (ongoing accredited CPD can be provided).
• Enhanced DBS certificate on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).

What the Provision Offers

• Sociable, term-time-only hours (no evenings or weekends).
• A supportive, tight-knit specialist staff team with low pupil-to-staff ratios.
• Free accredited CPD training, including positive behaviour management and advanced safeguarding.
• The opportunity to secure a permanent school contract following a successful placement.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV or contact our team directly for a confidential discussion about the role.

(All applicants are subject to thorough vetting and safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory professional references.) </p

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