Mental Health (SEMH) Support
Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with complex needs? Join our dedicated team at a specialist secondary school in Salford, where we focus on supporting students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges, many of whom have medicalised mental health conditions. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to gain practical experience working in the intersection of education and mental health, ideal for those pursuing careers in teaching, psychology, youth work, or mental health support.
About the School:
Our school caters to students with a wide range of SEMH needs, including those with medicalised mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related conditions, and other emotional difficulties. These students often require specialised interventions, emotional support, and a tailored approach to education to thrive both academically and socially. We aim to provide a nurturing, inclusive, and therapeutic learning environment that promotes positive mental health and personal development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Direct Student Support: Work 1:1 or in small groups with students experiencing significant mental health challenges. Provide emotional and behavioural support to help them manage their conditions within the school environment.
- Collaboration on Individual Support Plans: Assist in creating and implementing personalised learning plans and mental health interventions, working closely with teachers, SEN (Special Educational Needs) coordinators, and mental health professionals to address the specific needs of each student.
- Promote Emotional Resilience: Guide students in developing emotional coping strategies, improving self-regulation, and fostering resilience. This includes running therapeutic activities, social skill-building sessions, and mindfulness practices to enhance their wellbeing.
- Classroom Support: Provide in-class assistance, ensuring that students with SEMH needs are able to engage with the curriculum in a way that is adapted to their emotional and mental health requirements.
- Crisis Intervention and Behaviour Management: Support students in managing behavioural outbursts or emotional crises by using de-escalation techniques, ensuring a safe and calm learning environment.
- Monitor and Adapt Support Strategies: Regularly assess the emotional and academic progress of students, adapting interventions as necessary and collaborating with the wider support team to ensure continued growth and wellbeing.
- Parental and External Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with families, external healthcare providers, and mental health specialists, ensuring a comprehensive approach to each student's care.
What's To Gain From This Role:
- Comprehensive Experience: Gain hands-on experience working with students who have a wide spectrum of SEMH and mental health needs, including those with formal diagnoses. This experience is invaluable for careers in teaching, educational psychology, counseling, or clinical mental health professions.
- Multi-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborate with a team of experienced educators, mental health practitioners, and therapists, offering you a unique opportunity to understand the intersection of education and mental health interventions.
- Positive Impact: Directly contribute to the wellbeing and academic success of young people facing considerable mental health challenges. Your support will be instrumental in helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve their potential.
Ideal Candidate:
- Empathetic and Patient: A compassionate and patient attitude is essential, as you will be building trust with vulnerable students who may have difficulty regulating emotions or processing trauma.
- Strong Communication Skills: You will need to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, mental health professionals, and families to ensure a holistic approach to each student's care.
- Keen Learner: We seek someone with a strong desire to develop professionally in the areas of mental health and education. Previous experience working with children or young people with mental health needs is beneficial, but not essential.
Relevant Qualifications:
While specific qualifications in SEMH or mental health support are helpful, the most importan
