Student Wellbeing & SEMH Mentor (SEN Support)

Pastoral Support Mentor - SEND & SEMH (Mainstream Secondary School Setting)

Are you passionate about supporting young people to overcome barriers to learning? Do you have the empathy, resilience and commitment to help pupils with additional needs feel safe, understood and successful in school?

We are seeking a dedicated Pastoral Support Mentor to join a supportive and inclusive mainstream secondary school on a full-time basis. This role focuses on working closely with pupils aged 11-16 years old who have additional SEND & SEMH needs, including Autism, ADHD, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), and behavioural challenges.

About the School

This is a welcoming and inclusive mainstream secondary school committed to meeting the needs of all learners. The school has a strong focus on pastoral care and early intervention, ensuring that pupils with additional needs are well supported both academically and emotionally.

You will be part of a collaborative team that includes the SENCO, pastoral staff, teaching staff and external professionals. Together, the team works to provide targeted interventions and personalised support strategies to help pupils engage positively with school life.

The school promotes a nurturing approach, with a clear focus on building positive relationships, improving attendance, and supporting pupils to develop confidence, resilience and independence.

The Role

As a Pastoral Support Mentor, you will:

• Provide 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEN and SEMH needs
• Support pupils in managing emotional regulation, behaviour and engagement
• Work with students experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) to improve attendance and reintegration
• Act as a positive role model, building trusting and consistent relationships
• Support pupils during lessons, transitions and unstructured times (e.g. break/lunch)
• Deliver targeted interventions to support social skills, wellbeing and resilience
• Collaborate closely with the SENCO, pastoral team and teaching staff
• Contribute to and implement individual support plans and behaviour strategies
• Monitor and record pupil progress, wellbeing and engagement

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have recent, relevant experience supporting children or vulnerable adults, which can be referenced
• Have experience working with young people with SEN and/or SEMH needs
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of needs such as Autism, ADHD, EBSA and behavioural challenges
• Be patient, empathetic and resilient, with a calm and consistent approach
• Be confident in managing and de-escalating challenging situations
• Have a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Hold a valid Enhanced Child & Adult Workforce DBS on the Update Service, or be willing to apply for one through Milk Education
• Be committed to helping pupils build confidence, independence and a positive attitude to learning
• Experience in education, youth work, mentoring, care or support roles is highly desirable
• Training in areas such as Autism support, behaviour management or trauma-informed practice would be advantageous, but is not essential

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.