Behaviour Support Mentor

Are you a resilient, empathetic, and engaging individual with a passion for helping young people manage their emotions, overcome barriers to learning, and succeed in education?

We are currently partnering with an established specialist SEN school in Bury St Edmunds to recruit a dedicated Behaviour Support Mentor on a full-time, long-term basis.

In this vital role, you will work directly with children and young people who exhibit social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties, complex behaviours, and neurodivergent conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Acting as a positive role model and trusted guide, you will help pupils navigate the school day, develop self-regulation strategies, and build the confidence needed to succeed academically and socially.

• Position: Behaviour Support Mentor

• Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

• Contract: Full-Time, Long-Term Opportunity

• 1:1 Mentoring & Coaching: Build strong, positive, and trusting relationships with assigned pupils, providing dedicated 1:1 emotional and behavioural guidance throughout the school day.

• De-escalation & Emotional Regulation: Support young people through periods of distress or dysregulation using gentle de-escalation techniques, quiet space interventions, and trauma-informed approaches.

• Classroom & Re-engagement Support: Assist pupils within classroom environments or deliver targeted out-of-class activities designed to help them re-engage with learning and meet their individual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets.

• Social Skills & Resilience Building: Run structured, small-group mentoring sessions focused on anger management, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and social communication.

• Collaborative Working: Work alongside class teachers, SENCOs, pastoral leads, and external agencies to track pupil progress, evaluate behaviour plans, and implement consistent support strategies.

• Record Keeping: Maintain clear, objective, and accurate records of pupil progress, incidents, and positive behavioural achievements.

• Experience: Proven experience working with children or young adults with challenging behaviour, SEMH, ASC, or neurodivergent profiles in a school, youth work, residential care, sports coaching, or alternative provision setting.

• Strong knowledge of nurture principles, restorative practices, and trauma-informed strategies.

• Exceptional patience, emotional resilience, firm-but-fair boundaries, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Training in physical intervention and de-escalation (such as Team Teach, Safety-Net, or PRICE) is highly desirable, though ongoing training will be provided.

• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

• Long-Term Stability: A consistent, full-time contract in a well-resourced specialist setting, with potential opportunities for permanent employment.

• Competitive Daily Rates: Reflective of your experience, skills, and behaviour management expertise.

• Ongoing Training & Professional Development: Access to continuous training in positive behaviour management, autism awareness, and safeguarding.

• Supportive & Collaborative Culture: Join a passionate, cohesive team that places pupil well-being and staff support at the heart of everything they do.

Step into a deeply rewarding long-term mentoring role today.

How to Apply: Please forward your up-to-date CV and a brief covering message highlighting your mentoring experience to [email removed] or call [phone removed] for a confidential chat about this opportunity in Bury St Edmunds.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.

experience

Teaching

skills

ability to track progression in attainment,background in youth work,behaviour management,building relationships,classroom management,communication,de-escalation techniques,empathy,experience in administering medication,experience in managing challenging behaviour,experience with autism spectrum disorders,experience with learning difficulties,experience with social emotional mental health,inclusiveness,manual handling,marking,mentor experience,personal care experience,planning,resilience,restraint training,speech and language therapy experience