Job Description

Ready to step away from 12-hour shifts, night rotas, and weekend work while keeping the rewarding core of what you do?

A welcoming secondary school in Blackpool is seeking a dedicated Pastoral Mentor / SEMH Support Assistant to join their student support team this September 2026.

If you have experience as a Children's Residential Support Worker, your expertise in de-escalation, trauma-informed care, relationship-building, and safeguarding makes you an ideal fit for secondary pastoral and behaviour support.

Position Overview:

  • Job Title: School Pastoral Mentor / Behaviour Support Assistant (Transition from Residential Care)

  • Location: Blackpool, Lancashire (Excellent public transport links & on-site staff parking)

  • Start Date: September 2026

  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Term-time only - no nights, no shift work, all school holidays off)

  • Pay Rate: £85.00 - £100.00+ per day (PAYE, based on care/support experience)

  • Contract: Full-time, long-term for the 2026/27 academic year with permanent school contract pathways

How Your Care Skills Transfer Directly to the Classroom:

  • De-escalation & Crisis Management: Your training in managing complex behaviours, diffuse situations, and positive handling (Team Teach, MAPA, CPI, or similar) ensures a calm, safe environment for students facing emotional crises.

  • Trauma-Informed Support: Deep understanding of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), attachment needs, and SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) challenges to support vulnerable 11-16 year olds.

  • Building Rapport & Boundaries: Ability to connect with hard-to-reach young people, establish firm yet empathetic boundaries, and act as a consistent, trustworthy role model.

  • Safeguarding & Multi-Agency Working: Strong background in logging logs, recognising vulnerabilities, and collaborating with safeguarding leads, SENCOs, and social services.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Providing 1-to-1 mentoring and targeted small-group intervention for secondary students struggling with attendance, behaviour, or emotional regulation.

  • Supporting pupils within inclusion suites, nurture bases, or mainstream classrooms to help them stay engaged with learning.

  • Assisting students through daily triggers, sensory overload, and emotional resets.

  • Working alongside heads of year, pastoral managers, and SEND teams to track pupil welfare and individual progress plans.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Experience working in children's residential care homes, respite centres, supported living, or alternative youth provisions.

  • Resilient, compassionate, and solution-focused approach to working with young people.

  • Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent in Health & Social Care / Youth Work) is welcomed, though relevant practical experience is the primary priority.

  • Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to process one prior to September).

Why Make the Move to Education?

  • Consistent Schedule: Work regular, sociable school hours (30-32.5 hours per week).

  • Work-Life Balance: 13 weeks of paid holiday time across the year.

  • Meaningful Progression: Clear progression routes into Pastoral Leadership, Behaviour Management, or School Safeguarding Lead roles.

Trade shift patterns for term-time weekdays while continuing to change young lives in Blackpool.

Apply online today or search "Blackpool Secondary Pastoral Support Jobs" to submit your CV!