At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with SEMH needs through 1:1 and small group interventions.
- Company: Join New Meaning Training, a supportive and innovative education provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH or pastoral needs and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
New Meaning Centre: NMT Warwickshire (Stratford-upon-Avon & Nuneaton)
Employer: New Meaning Training (NMT)
Type: 1 Year Fixed Term, Full Time, All Year Round
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Schedule: Monday to Friday 07:30 - 15:30
Salary: £28,000 pa
Job ref: WARNUNSUASP082601
Introduction
Do you want to be the person who helps a young person feel safe enough to try again? We're looking for a SEMH Practitioner to join our Warwickshire team across two sites. This is a full-time, one year fixed term post and we see it as primarily a pastoral role where your presence, consistency and care will make a real difference every single day. At New Meaning Training, we work with young people who've often had a difficult experience of education. Many have social, emotional and mental health needs, and need something different - more understanding, more patience, and more belief in what they're capable of.
As our two centres continue to grow, we're strengthening our SEMH and pastoral support so every learner can access the right support at the right time. In this role, you'll support learners with moderate SEMH needs through a mix of 1:1 and small group interventions. You'll work closely with the SEMH Lead and tutors to deliver strategies linked to EHCPs, helping young people regulate emotions, build confidence, and re-engage with learning. This isn't just about support in the moment - it's about helping each young person feel valued, understood and able to move forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver 1:1 and small group SEMH interventions, including those linked to EHCP outcomes
- Build consistent, supportive relationships with learners who may find engagement or trust difficult
- Apply trauma-informed approaches as part of our Loving Care Approach, modelling calm and empathetic behaviour
- Support learners to develop emotional regulation, confidence and positive behaviours for learning
- Work alongside tutors to adapt learning approaches so pastoral needs are understood and supported in the classroom
- Help staff implement EHCP strategies consistently across the learner's timetable
- Respond to dysregulation using de-escalation strategies and agreed approaches
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of interventions, attendance and progress
- Manage your own timetable of learner support and communicate outcomes clearly with the SEMH Lead
- Promote understanding of SEMH across the team through informal coaching and collaboration
- Be visible and present during key parts of the day, supporting learners at arrival, transitions and departure
- Follow safeguarding procedures at all times, contributing to a safe and supportive environment
- Take part in CPD, training and supervision, and actively engage with internal systems and processes
You will have:
- Experience supporting young people with SEMH or pastoral needs in an education, youth, or alternative provision setting
- A good understanding of trauma-informed practice, emotional regulation, and social skills development
- The ability to build trust with learners who may have experienced challenges with behaviour, engagement, or relationships
- Strong communication skills and a proactive, team-focused approach to working with others
- A calm, compassionate presence - especially in moments where learners feel overwhelmed or dysregulated
- Good organisation and the ability to maintain clear, accurate records of interventions and progress
- A commitment to your own development, including engaging with CPD, coaching, and supervision
- An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and a willingness to follow all policies and procedures (enhanced DBS required)
- A full UK driving licence and access to a business-insured vehicle as you may be required to work from one of other Buckinghamshire centres from time-to-time.
About us
New Meaning Training offers education with a difference. We work with young people aged 15-25 who haven't always had a straightforward experience of education. Some have been misunderstood, some have disengaged, and some are still working out where they fit. What they find here is something steadier - a place where there's time to settle in, where expectations are clear, and where they're not judged on what's gone before.
We now operate across six centres in High Wycombe (our HQ), Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon and Nuneaton, supporting around 320 learners in the 2026-2027 academic year. Across all centres, we offer a growing range of "Introduction to" programmes designed to give young people a proper chance to try things out, build practical skills, and start to see what might come next. Everything is grounded in learning through doing - making education feel possible again from the start.
Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as "Toolshed." Ten years on, NMT continues to grow, with two new centres for 2025-2026. In Warwickshire New Meaning Training has two centres. A new one in the north of the county in Nuneaton, and a well-established and newly refurbished centre in the south in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our Stratford-upon-Avon centre offers Motor Mechanics, Creative Art & Design, Sports and Computing and our Nuneaton centre offers Retail & Hospitality and Construction Multiskills. All incorporate functional skills qualifications in Maths and English, along with tutorials to support our well-rounded approach. We also provide a 'Transition Support' programme for young people with EHCPs who are not yet ready for a learning setting. NMT tailors its programmes to meet the needs of its learners, considering Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We comprehensively apply the principles of a Loving Care Approach (Trauma Informed Practice) to ensure all young people receive the support they need to thrive.
Generous annual leave
- 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Up to 10 additional "gifted" days off each year (taken during school holiday periods)
- Annual leave increases with length of service, up to a maximum of 24 days
Pension
- Auto enrolment into The People's Pension
- 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution
Blue Light Card
Access to hundreds of national discounts (retail, food, travel, days out). Admin fee fully reimbursed by NMT.
Service recognition
- Additional annual leave as a thank you for long service
- Gift rewards at key milestones (e.g. 5 and 10 years)
Wellbeing benefits
- Annual flu vaccination voucher (paid for by NMT)
- Birthday gift voucher to celebrate your day
Sustainable travel schemes
- Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus Energy (salary sacrifice)
- Green Travel to Work initiatives with rewards for taking part
A supportive, values-led workplace
- Strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and collaboration
- Training and CPD supported as part of your role
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people's lives
Safeguarding
New Meaning Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and adhere to our safeguarding and professional conduct policies.
Checks:
This post involves regulated activity and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children's Barred List check) and satisfactory professional references.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA):
This role is exempt from the ROA 1974. Applicants must disclose all convictions and cautions that are not 'protected' under the Exceptions Order 1975 (as amended 2013 and 2020). For guidance on which offences are 'filtered' and do not need to be disclosed, please refer to the DBS filtering guide.
SEMH Practitioner (a pastoral role) - Stratford-upon-Avon & Nuneaton in High Wycombe employer: New Meaning Training
New Meaning Training is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in High Wycombe. With a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits including annual leave, wellbeing perks, and comprehensive training support, ensuring that our team members can grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of learners. Join us to be part of a passionate community committed to enhancing emotional wellbeing and life skills for those with special educational needs and social, emotional, and mental health challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Practitioner (a pastoral role) - Stratford-upon-Avon & Nuneaton in High Wycombe
✨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 New Meaning Training.
✨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 New Meaning Training!
✨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 New Meaning Training, 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 New Meaning Training 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 SEMH Practitioner (a pastoral role) - Stratford-upon-Avon & Nuneaton in High Wycombe
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 New Meaning Training:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to New Meaning Training! 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 New Meaning Training
✨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.
