At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in emotional regulation and build positive relationships for better learning.
- Company: A nurturing academy prioritising pupil wellbeing and personal growth.
- Benefits: Professional development, supportive culture, and a dedicated wellbeing space.
- Other info: Join a team that values wellbeing and offers growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while fostering resilience and confidence.
- Qualifications: Experience with children’s emotional needs and strong relational skills.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 31022 £ per year.
We are looking for a warm, reflective, and committed Behaviour Support Worker to join our team. This is a rewarding and impactful role at the heart of pupil wellbeing. You will support children to regulate emotions, navigate relationships, and re‑engage positively with learning—always holding hope and high expectations for every child. You will recognise that not all learners arrive ready for learning. Through a flexible, nurturing, and consistent approach, you will help children build self‑belief, motivation, and resilience, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. You will work from a dedicated wellbeing space, providing a calm and structured environment for check‑ins, emotional support, and restorative conversations, while also being a visible and supportive presence across the academy.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide 1:1 and small‑group support for children needing help with emotional regulation, friendships, confidence, or behaviour.
- Facilitate restorative conversations to support reflection, repair, and positive next steps.
- Deliver wellbeing and self‑regulation sessions within the dedicated support space.
- Promote a strong sense of belonging by helping children build trusted relationships with adults.
- Support children to develop the behaviours, confidence, and resilience needed for learning and life.
- Maintain a visible, calm presence during breaktimes and lunchtimes.
- Support safe, inclusive play and respond to incidents using relational and restorative approaches.
- Model and embed the school's expectations of Ready, Respectful, Safe.
- Lead and support Midday Assistants to ensure consistency in approach.
- Model strong relational practice and emotionally intelligent responses.
- Support and coach colleagues to develop consistent approaches to behaviour.
- Hold high expectations of adults in a respectful, relational way, promoting accountability and growth.
- Work closely with staff, families, and leaders to ensure clear and consistent communication.
- Build positive relationships with families, offering empathy, support, and guidance.
- Advocate for all children—particularly the most vulnerable—ensuring their needs are understood and met.
- Maintain accurate records of incidents, interventions, and patterns.
- Monitor provision and contribute to identifying trends and improving practice across the academy.
- Work across year groups to meet both universal and targeted needs.
- Provide structured and consistent support for identified pupils.
What We’re Looking For
- A child‑centred practitioner who is strong on boundaries and big on heart.
- Commitment to holding hope and high expectations for every child.
- Strong understanding of relational and restorative approaches.
- Experience supporting children with social, emotional, or behavioural needs (school experience desirable).
- An understanding of modern childhood development (e.g. impact of screen use, anxiety, and the 'DOSE' effect).
- Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
- Confidence in modelling good practice and supporting adults to improve.
- Ability to hold others to account in a calm, relational, and constructive way.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- Emotional intelligence, resilience, and reflective practice.
What We Offer
- A supportive, relational staff culture where wellbeing is prioritised.
- A clear and consistent behaviour framework rooted in When the Adults Change principles.
- A dedicated wellbeing and restorative space.
- High‑quality professional development and opportunities for growth.
- A meaningful role where you can make a lasting difference to children's lives.
Behaviour Support Worker employer: Darlinghurst Academy
Join our dedicated team as a Behaviour Support Worker, where you will be part of a supportive and relational staff culture that prioritises wellbeing. With access to high-quality professional development and a clear behaviour framework, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's lives in a nurturing environment. Our dedicated wellbeing space allows for focused emotional support, ensuring every child has the chance to thrive and succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Behaviour Support Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Darlinghurst Academy.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Darlinghurst Academy!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Darlinghurst Academy, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Darlinghurst Academy or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Behaviour Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Darlinghurst Academy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Darlinghurst Academy! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlinghurst Academy
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.