SEMH Student Engagement Mentor

SEMH Student Engagement Mentor

Secondary SEMH School | Tameside

Some young people need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves.

Could that someone be you?

We are looking for a Student Engagement Mentor to join our specialist secondary SEMH school in Tameside.

This is a role for someone who understands that progress isn't always measured by grades. Sometimes it's a student walking through the school gate when they didn't want to. Sometimes it's staying calm instead of walking out. Sometimes it's completing a piece of work, making a positive choice or simply trusting an adult enough to ask for help.

You'll be the person helping make those moments happen.

What makes this role different?

As a Student Engagement Mentor, you'll work alongside teachers, pastoral staff and the wider school team to help young people who may have struggled to engage with education in the past.

You'll build genuine, positive relationships with students and become a consistent, trusted adult in their school day.

You might be:

• Meeting and checking in with students at the start of the day.
• Supporting students to re-engage with learning.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group mentoring.
• Helping young people recognise and manage their emotions.
• Encouraging positive choices and celebrating progress.
• Supporting students when they are dysregulated or experiencing difficulties.
• Helping students develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Working with students who may have experienced significant barriers to education.
• Supporting pupils with attendance, motivation and engagement.
• Helping young people identify their strengths, interests and future aspirations.
• Working closely with teachers, families and professionals to provide consistent support.

Every day will be different. Every student will be different.

And that's exactly what makes the role so rewarding.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who can connect with young people without judging them.

Someone who can be firm when needed, but compassionate always.

You might already have experience working in an SEMH, SEN, education, youth work, care or community setting. Or perhaps you have experience working with young people in another environment and know that your biggest strength is your ability to build relationships.

Most importantly, you will be:

• Positive, patient and emotionally resilient.
• Confident building relationships with teenagers.
• Calm and consistent, even when situations become challenging.
• Able to set boundaries while maintaining positive relationships.
• A good listener who takes time to understand what is behind a behaviour.
• Creative in finding ways to engage students.
• A strong communicator and team player.
• Committed to helping young people reach their potential.
• Someone who celebrates progress — however big or small.

More than a job

Working in an SEMH school isn't always easy.

There will be challenging days. There will be setbacks. There will be moments when you wonder whether you're making a difference.

Then a student who previously wouldn't enter a classroom walks in.

A young person who didn't trust adults starts talking to you.