Behaviour and Engagement Officer in Crawley

Education - non-teaching

Full time

Permanent

We are looking for a dedicated Behaviour and Engagement Officer who brings energy, heart, and resilience to our team at Thomas Bennett Community College in Crawley. We need someone ready to inspire, empower, and support our pupils every single day, helping to uphold standards of behaviour and break down barriers to learning.

In our Trust, a Behaviour and Engagement Officer is far more than a supervisory role; you are a key architect in building a child’s confidence, self-regulation, and educational success. We are seeking an empathetic, proactive team player who can conduct active patrols, manage challenging behaviour, run targeted interventions, and implement restorative justice to create an environment where every pupil feels supported to thrive.

Whether you have extensive experience working with young people presenting with challenging behaviour or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, or a background in youth work, social care, or education, your talent will be valued here. In our community, support staff are vital partners in driving educational standards, preventing exclusions, and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Together, let’s unlock potential and ensure every child gets their chance to shine.

The ideal Behaviour and Engagement Officer will be someone who:

• Upholds high standards of behaviour across the school through active presence, regular patrols, and active duty before school, at break, lunchtime, and after school.
• Builds warm, positive, and respectful relationships with pupils, demonstrating a strong understanding of the root causes of disengagement, poor attendance, and challenging behaviour in secondary-aged pupils.
• Utilises practical knowledge of restorative justice practices, trauma-informed approaches, and behaviour modification strategies to de‑escalate incidents.
• Confidently delivers targeted one‑to‑one or small‑group interventions to address behavioural difficulties and keep appropriate records.
• Sanctions and works to resolve serious behaviour incidents effectively by managing internal exclusions and community service.
• Collaborates closely with colleagues, department teams, the SENCO, and Senior Leadership (SLT) to support teaching staff and classroom management.
• Is resilient, adaptable, and composed under pressure, demonstrating excellent communication skills, integrity, and a positive outlook.

Great Support Starts with a Great Community: Your Benefits

We believe that in education, people matter most. Investing in your wellbeing and professional growth isn't just a perk, it’s our priority. As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your career and your lifestyle:

• Exceptional Development: Access high‑quality development and training opportunities tailored to your role, including appraisal and peer collaboration.
• Career Pathways: Receive encouragement and support to grow your skills within our school and across the wider Trust network.

Family & Work-Life Balance

• Family‑Friendly Policies: Dedicated leave policies and flexible working options to support you through every stage of life.
• Supportive Environment: Work within a forward‑thinking culture that actively champions your work‑life balance

Financial Wellbeing & Savings

• Blue Light Card Access: Eligible to apply for the UK’s premier discount scheme, unlocking savings across shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Spread the cost of a new bike and equipment for a healthier, more affordable commute.
• Generous Pension: Secure your long‑term future with substantial employer pension contributions.

About Thomas Bennett Community College

Thomas Bennett Community College is a vibrant secondary school located in Crawley, West Sussex. We are committed to providing an inclusive, high‑quality education that empowers young people from all backgrounds to overcome barriers, develop resilience, and achieve their full potential.

To discover what makes Thomas Bennett Community College special, visit our website or contact our recruitment team to arrange a visit.

About Kemnal Academies Trust

The Kemnal Academies Trust is a group of schools with ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve. We provide a broad and rich education that opens doors. Working together, we give every pupil the support and the skills they need to build a life of purpose, agency, and contribution.

Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership, and learning for all. Our leaders focus on pupil progress and attainment, regularly sharing knowledge, insight, and experience across our family of schools. We believe passionately in the power of collaborative working and actively promote school‑to‑school support because when we work together, every child benefits.

A Culture of Belonging: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity

Belonging is of utmost importance to us. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and respected, where expectations are high, and genuine support is provided. Here, colleagues are trusted to lead, contribute, and grow in alignment with our mission. At Kemnal Academies Trust, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we know diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Flexible Working

Kemnal Academies Trust recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career while balancing their commitments and interests outside of work. We actively promote flexible working practices and opportunities to support a positive work‑life balance.

Be Who You Are: Interview & Workplace Adjustments

Should you be selected and invited to interview, please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate fully. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments within both the recruitment process and the workplace to support every candidate.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Kemnal Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to statutory safer recruitment checks prior to appointment. These include, but are not limited to, an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, online searches (in line with KCSIE guidelines), identity and right‑to‑work verification, reference checks, relevant qualification/prohibition checks, and overseas checks where applicable. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed.

‘Pupils and staff say that behaviour has improved greatly this year’

‘The learning environment has been greatly enhanced by the effective and consistent implementation of behaviour strategies.’

‘The sixth‑form provision has improved since the last inspection. Leaders have developed a small, effective sixth form where students thrive in a close‑knit community. Students say, ‘It feels like a family.’ The head of sixth form knows students extremely well and provides strong and principled leadership.’

Quotes from students – 2020: “The teaching's great.”

“You get so many opportunities.”

“The teaching's really good, you can make really good friends here even if they are in an older year. You never feel pressured into anything. We have gone through all the negative things and it’s all turning into positive.” “You can get your voices heard.“

“It’s welcoming, everyones kind and nice.”

“If you have any worries big or small you can always go to a member of staff and they really help you.“

“The school really helps people with all different kinds of issues whether they are mental health or even something like autism.“ I hope you find all the information you require on this website but please do contact us if you would like to know more or to arrange to visit us. You can all so follow us onFacebookandTwitter.

Kind regards,

Daniel Hatley - Headteacher

NJC West Sussex - Grade 8, SCP 20 + Outer Fringe Allowance - £33,673 (FTE)

Hours

37 hours per week

Competitive

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