Graduate Sports Coach - SEMH support

Job Title: Graduate Sports Coach – SEMH Support
Location: Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley
Salary: £92.63 - £100 (PAYE)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Term-Time Only
Start Date: ASAP

Are you a recent sports graduate with a passion for making a real difference?
Do you thrive in dynamic environments and want to use sport as a tool for positive change?

We are seeking a motivated and energetic Graduate Sports Coach to join our specialist team, supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a setting where sport and physical activity are used not only for physical development, but also to build confidence, resilience, and social skills.

The Role:

• Deliver and assist with structured sports sessions that promote engagement, teamwork, and emotional regulation

• Support students with SEMH needs both in and out of the classroom

• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils based on trust, consistency, and respect

• Act as a positive male/female role model where appropriate

• Assist in managing challenging behaviour with a trauma-informed, restorative approach

• Contribute to the wider school ethos of inclusion, safety, and student wellbeing

What We’re Looking For:

• A degree in Sports Science, Physical Education, Coaching, or a related subject

• Experience working with young people, ideally those with behavioural or emotional needs (desirable)

• A passion for sport as a tool for education and personal development

• Patience, resilience, and the ability to de-escalate challenging situations

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

We Offer:

• A supportive and experienced pastoral and SEND team

• Ongoing training in behaviour management, mental health, and trauma-informed practice

• A rewarding opportunity to help vulnerable young people re-engage with learning

• Opportunities for progression and development into teaching, mentoring, or therapy-related roles

Whether you’re looking to build experience for a future career in teaching, youth work, or coaching, this role offers meaningful, hands-on experience in a nurturing and challenging setting.

To apply , please send your CV and a brief cover letter to View email address on protocol-education.com.
Closing date: Ongoing

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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