Role: Student Mentor
Location: Hailsham
Salary: Dependent on experience
Department: Support Staff
Job Type: Full Time
Start Date: As soon as possible
Benfits: On-site parking, excellent public transport links, family and community-feel school, collaborative and caring staff approach, comprehensive CPD package
About the School:
Our partner school, that's part of an Ofsted 'outstanding' multi-academy trust, are seeking to recruit a Student Support Assistant who has a passion for supporting children with special needs.
The school provides a nurturing educational experience for children identified as having social, emotional, and mental health needs. With a focus on creating a safe and supportive environment, the school offers students the opportunity to enjoy a full educational experience where they can thrive emotionally and physically. While primarily catering to children with SEMH needs, the school also provides additional and/or different provisions for a range of other needs, including cognition and learning needs, communication and interaction needs, sensory and/or physical needs, and moderate learning difficulties.
About the Role:
They are seeking to recruit a Student Support Assistant who has a passion for supporting children with special needs. You will be working as part of a team that is responsible for developing, improving and delivering exciting and innovative provisions for children who are not succeeding in mainstream education, and require a nurturing, positive approach in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
* Identify and respond promptly to potential conflict situations, using appropriate de-escalation techniques and strategies.
* Utilize effective communication skills to establish rapport and build positive relationships with pupils, promoting trust and respect.
* Employ therapeutic approaches to support pupils in managing their emotions and behaviour effectively.
* Intervene in crisis situations, maintaining a calm and composed demeanour while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
* Provide immediate support to pupils experiencing emotional distress or exhibiting challenging behaviour, using de-escalation techniques and therapeutic interventions.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of incidents, interventions, and outcomes, adhering to the school's policies and procedures.
* Supporting class teams with small group or individual interventions across the SEND categories of need
Person Specification:
* Experience in a similar role, preferably within an SEMH therapeutic special school or a related setting.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with pupils, staff, and parents/guardians.
* Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, patience, and the ability to build positive relationships with pupils displaying challenging behaviour. ● Sound knowledge of de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and behaviour management approaches.
* Familiarity with therapeutic interventions and approaches for supporting pupils with SEMH needs.
* Ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
* Proficient in maintaining accurate records and producing written reports.
* Relevant training or qualifications in behaviour management, conflict resolution, or related fields would be advantageous.
If you are already an outstanding practitioner or have the potential to be outstanding, if you work hard and thrive on challenge then we would like to hear from you.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
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