Behaviour Support Worker (SEMH)

Location: Shildon, County Durham
Hours: Monday to Friday | 9:00am – 2:30pm
Contract: Term Time Only
Start Date: 7th September 2026

Do you enjoy building positive relationships, staying calm under pressure and helping young people make better choices?
We are looking for a resilient, patient and compassionate Behaviour Support Worker to join a specialist provision in Shildon, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education.

This is not a traditional classroom role. It's about mentoring, supporting, encouraging and helping young people overcome barriers to learning. Every day is different, and no two students are the same.

We're far more interested in who you are than the job title you've had.

You may have experience in:

• Youth work or mentoring
• Residential childcare or supported living
• Care work
• Security or the prison service
• The Armed Forces, Police, Fire or Ambulance Services
• Sports coaching or personal training
• Outdoor education
• Customer-facing roles where you've managed difficult situations
• Warehousing, logistics or construction where you've supervised or mentored others
• Community work or volunteering

If you have the ability to earn respect, remain calm, communicate clearly and build trust, we'd love to hear from you.
The role will involve:

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Building positive, professional relationships with young people.
• Encouraging engagement in learning and personal development.
• Helping pupils regulate emotions and make positive choices.
• Managing challenging behaviour using a calm and consistent approach.
• Working closely with teachers and other professionals to support each student's progress.
• Maintaining a safe, structured and nurturing environment.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Patient, resilient and reliable.
• Confident, approachable and able to set clear boundaries.
• A positive role model with a good sense of humour.
• Passionate about helping young people succeed.
• Able to work well as part of a close-knit team.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

What we offer:

• A rewarding role where you can genuinely change lives.
• Full support and training from an experienced team.
• Term-time-only hours offering an excellent work-life balance.
• The opportunity to develop a career within specialist education.

Safeguarding is our highest priority. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all appropriate safeguarding checks.

If you're someone who can inspire, motivate and support young people, even if you've never worked in a school before, we'd love to hear from you.

If you are interested in this role please email Genna.sinclair @ednetwork.co.uk with an up to date copy of your CV, or give us a call on View phone number on theeducationnetwork.co.uk for an informal chat about opportunities.

The Education Network Offer:
Our specialist team boasts extensive combined experience and an unrivalled reputation within the education sector. We take great pride in delivering consistently high service levels to both schools and candidates. Our approach is honest, efficient, and designed to offer a recruitment solution tailored to your needs. Additionally, we provide opportunities for further training and development to enhance your career.
You will work in a friendly, caring, and supportive environment where every child matters. Our highly committed and hardworking consultants will strive to find roles that suit your professional aspirations. We also offer excellent rates of pay and ongoing opportunities for professional growth.

The Education Network is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to our comprehensive vetting procedures, including enhanced DBS checks and references. We adhere to Safer Recruitment practices and maintain the highest standards of compliance.
We are an equal opportunities employer, and The Education Network operates as a recruitment agency for this role. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact shortlisted candidates within three days.

Data Privacy and Processing
By applying for this role, you are agreeing for The Education Network to process and store your personal data, including your CV and application form, for the purposes of recruitment. The Education Network is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in accordance with GDPR. Your information will be kept securely and will not be shared with third parties without your consent. We will retain your data for up to 24 months unless you request us to delete it earlier. You have the right to request access to, amend, or delete your data at any time by contacting Neville Wood at The Education Network.

The Education Network Offer:

Our specialist team have a combined experience of over 25 years and have unrivalled reputation within the education market, taking great pride in the extremely high service levels that we provide to both our schools and our candidates. Our service is honest and efficient and, in addition to our recruitment solution, we offer the opportunity for additional training and development for our candidates. You will also receive personalised career support from the team.

The opportunity to work in friendly, caring and supportive atmosphere where every child matters. Highly supportive, committed and hard working Consultants who will endeavor to find assignments suited to your needs.
An opportunity to extend your professional development as well as excellent rates of pay.

The Education Network is committed to safe guarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointments will be subject to our stringent vetting procedures, including enhanced DBS checks and references.-
The Education Network is committed to Safer Recruitment and recruits to Compliance+ standards. Any appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check in addition to other safeguarding checks. The Education Network is an equal opportunities employer. The Education Network is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy.
Due to the expected high-volume of applications we receive only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 3 days.