At a Glance
- Tasks: Support pupils aged 11-16 in a nurturing, therapeutic environment to re-engage with learning.
- Company: Join a specialist school dedicated to inclusive education and personal development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Clear pathways to permanent positions for committed and compassionate individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH, trauma, or behavioural needs; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29900 - 29900 £ per year.
We are seeking dedicated Behaviour and Engagement Mentors to work within one of our partner specialist schools, supporting pupils aged 11–16. This nurturing setting provides a therapeutic, relationship-based environment for young people who may be disengaged from education and require additional behavioural, emotional, and pastoral support to successfully re‑engage with learning. Many pupils experience emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), the impact of developmental or relational trauma, and difficulties with emotional regulation, which can sometimes present as challenging behaviour or heightened emotional responses. A number of pupils also have learning difficulties, with some holding additional diagnoses such as ASD and/or ADHD.
The school offers small class sizes of 6–10 pupils, allowing staff to build strong, trusting relationships and provide highly personalised mentoring and behavioural support. Pupils may follow either a primary‑style, nurture‑led pathway or a more formal secondary pathway, depending on their individual needs. There are multiple permanent opportunities available for individuals who are committed to the school’s inclusive ethos, demonstrate consistency, and are passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning.
Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday
What You Need:
- Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, trauma, EBSA, behavioural needs, ASD, or ADHD within education, youth work, care, sports coaching, or community settings
- Experience managing or positively influencing behaviour through restorative or relationship‑based approaches
- A calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent approach when supporting young people
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive, trusting relationships
- Confidence working with pupils who may display challenging behaviour or have become disengaged from education
- A willingness to undertake additional training alongside the permanent staff team
- The ability to provide two recent references (work‑based or educational)
- A genuine passion for improving behaviour, engagement, attendance, and educational outcomes for young people
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as a positive role model and mentor for pupils, promoting positive behaviour and engagement throughout the school day
- Build consistent, trusting relationships that encourage attendance, participation, and personal development
- Support pupils to develop emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and appropriate coping strategies
- Use restorative and therapeutic approaches to de‑escalate challenging situations and promote positive behaviour choices
- Provide targeted one-to-one and small group mentoring sessions focused on behaviour, engagement, and wellbeing
- Support pupils both inside and outside the classroom to remove barriers to learning
- Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, SENCOs, therapists, and families to promote positive outcomes
- Contribute to behaviour support plans, risk assessments, and intervention strategies
- Monitor, record, and celebrate progress in behaviour, engagement, and personal development
- Attend ongoing training and professional development, including physical intervention training where required
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a specialist school with a strong nurturing ethos, highly supportive leadership, and excellent professional development opportunities. As a Behaviour and Engagement Mentor, you’ll play a vital role in helping young people develop the confidence, resilience, and behaviours needed to succeed both in school and beyond. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact while developing your own skills within a specialist educational setting. There are clear pathways into permanent positions for committed, compassionate, and value-driven professionals.
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.
Salary: Up to £29,900 per annum; Location: Newcastle upon Tyne; Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week; Closing date for applications: midnight of Sunday 26th July.
Behaviour And Engagement Mentor in North East employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Behaviour And Engagement Mentor in North East
✨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 Milk Education.
✨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 Milk Education!
✨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 Milk Education, 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 Milk Education 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 And Engagement Mentor in North East
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 Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! 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 Milk Education
✨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.