High Needs Intervention Coach (Reduced Year) in Leeds

Leeds City College are seeking a High Needs Intervention Coach to join our Future Pathways department. In this role, you will deliver targeted, high-impact, small-group or 1:1 interventions to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) within the Future Pathways department. Operating both within and external to the structured classroom environment, the post-holder will design and implement bespoke intervention strategies directly linked to students' Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets alongside the High Needs Team Lead within the department. This role focuses on breaking down barriers to learning, promoting emotional regulation, and accelerating progress toward personal, social, and academic statutory outcomes.

Our Future Pathways Department supports young people aged 16–25 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) – including those with SEND, SEMH needs, or a history of educational disengagement (NEET) – to access education and employment. Admission is exclusively via local authority consultation to ensure we can meet the student's EHCP needs. Please note, this is a reduced year role (39 weeks). The pro rata'd salary is £23,902 with progression to £24,505.

What You Will Do

• Plan and deliver evidence‑based 1:1 and small‑group interventions (focusing on emotional regulation, social communication, motor skills, and independent living) to help high‑needs learners meet their EHCP targets.
• Develop sensory‑tactile resources and dynamically adjust coaching styles to meet immediate neurodivergent, communication, and sensory needs.
• Use assistive technologies, communication aids (e.g., PECS, AAC devices), and visual frameworks to ensure learning is accessible and provide targeted support during lessons, collaborating with teaching staff to ensure accessibility.
• Implement Positive Behavioural Agreements (PBAs), monitor environments for sensory triggers to prevent distress, and use approved de‑escalation techniques in crisis situations.
• Accurately record daily intervention data and behavioural logs, translating them into progress reports fit for statutory EHCP annual reviews.
• Work alongside internal and external specialists (e.g., Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, CAMHS) to embed strategies into college life.
• Support new student inductions (taster days, orientation), assist with recruitment events (open evenings, interviews), and advise prospective parents and carers.
• Assist with exam access arrangements (sensory setups, readers/scribes) and participate in departmental peer‑reviews to improve intervention quality.

(Note: This role requires occasional evening/weekend work for departmental events.)

About You

• A relevant Level 3 qualification in Education, Supporting Teaching and Learning, Health and Social Care, or a related specialist SEND field.
• Recognised specialist training in intervention strategies or therapeutic approaches (e.g. ELSA, PECS, Makaton, Dyslexia/Dyscalculia support, or Speech & Language frameworks).
• Substantial experience of delivering targeted 1:1 and small‑group interventions to young people with high‑needs, complex SEND, or social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
• Knowledgeable about learning difficulties, the effects of trauma on learning, and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
• Possess a deep understanding of the frustrations and challenges faced by students with complex needs and remains calm and supportive under pressure.
• Able to positively manage challenging behaviours, emotional outbursts, or high‑stress situations without taking incidents personally and is skilled in using positive behaviour interventions and de‑escalation techniques.
• Strongly committed to promoting student independence and self‑advocacy, dignity, and equal opportunity in every aspect of college life.
• Ability to break down complex curriculum concepts into accessible, digestible tasks tailored to individual EHCP targets.
• Competent (or willing to be trained) in manual handling, assisting wheelchair users, and administering basic medical or personal care plans.
• Excellent verbal and written skills for tracking student progress, updating logs, and collaborating with course teams.

About Us

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally. We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does. We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress. Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre‑employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We do not accept unsolicited CV’s and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.