At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people with SEMH needs and promote emotional regulation.
- Company: Specialist SEMH school dedicated to nurturing and supporting students.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, training opportunities, and 24/7 consultant support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH or behavioural needs; patience and empathy are key.
The predicted salary is between 10800 - 11500 £ per year.
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Pay: £108.00-£115.00
Hours: Monday – Friday | Full-time/Part-time
Start Date: September 26.
Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? Do you have the resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence to make a meaningful difference every single day?
We are currently recruiting for a committed Pastoral Support Mentor to join a specialist SEMH school. This is a highly rewarding opportunity to support pupils who require consistent pastoral guidance, emotional regulation support, and positive role modelling to re-engage with education.
About the School
This specialist SEMH setting supports young people who have experienced significant barriers to learning, including trauma, adverse childhood experiences, behavioural challenges, and unmet emotional needs. The school provides a structured, nurturing and therapeutic environment where pupil welfare is at the heart of everything they do.
With smaller class sizes and a high staff-to-student ratio, the school prioritises relationship-building, consistency, and personalised support. A strong safeguarding and pastoral framework ensures that pupils feel safe, understood, and supported both academically and emotionally.
The leadership team promotes a trauma-informed and restorative approach to behaviour. Staff work collaboratively across pastoral, teaching and therapeutic teams to develop individual support plans that focus on emotional regulation, resilience, and long-term personal development. This is a setting where patience, empathy and consistency are essential, and where staff genuinely see the impact of their work.
The Role
As a Pastoral Support Mentor, you will:
- Provide intensive 1:1 and small-group pastoral and welfare support
- Support pupils with SEMH needs, helping them develop emotional regulation strategies
- Act as a positive role model, promoting resilience and self-belief
- De-escalate challenging situations using trauma-informed and restorative approaches
- Support pupils during lessons, transitions, and unstructured times
- Contribute to individual behaviour and welfare plans
- Liaise closely with teaching staff, SENCO, DSL and external professionals
- Monitor wellbeing, attendance and engagement
This role would suit individuals with experience in SEMH schools, alternative provisions, youth work, mentoring, care work, or outreach support.
The Ideal Candidate Will:
- Have experience working with young people with SEMH or behavioural needs
- Be calm, emotionally resilient, and consistent under pressure
- Understand trauma-informed practice and restorative approaches
- Have strong safeguarding knowledge and awareness of child protection procedures
- Be confident managing and de-escalating challenging behaviour
- Be patient, empathetic and genuinely passionate about supporting vulnerable pupils
- Team Teach or de-escalation training is desirable but not essential.
Why Work with Milk Education?
- Support and guidance if you wish to progress into a permanent school role
- Free classroom resources to support your work
- 24/7 access to your own dedicated consultant
- Training opportunities and CPD to enhance your skillset
- Proud to be an eco-friendly, purpose-driven agency committed to rewarding and valuing our staff
Apply now!
Email: Izzie.hand@milk-education.co.uk
Phone: 01483 323 100
Pastoral Support Mentor (SEN Focus – Classroom-Based) in Woking 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 Pastoral Support Mentor (SEN Focus – Classroom-Based) in Woking
✨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 Pastoral Support Mentor (SEN Focus – Classroom-Based) in Woking
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.
