Mental Health and Behavioural Support Assistant Location: South Shields Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm The Role We are seeking a dedicated and resilient Mental Health and Behavioural Support Assistant to join our supportive and passionate team. The successful candidate will work closely with teaching staff and pastoral teams to support students with social, emotional, and behavioural needs. You will play a vital role in helping students regulate emotions, develop coping strategies, and access learning in a positive and structured way. About the School The school is a specialist secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), supporting young people who are unable to attend mainstream school. Our students may have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion, may be experiencing anxiety or crisis impacting attendance, or may be new to the area with identified Special Educational Needs (SEND). As a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where every young person is supported to re-engage with education, develop emotional resilience, and achieve positive outcomes. Key Responsibilities Provide 1:1 and small group support to students with SEMH needs Support students in managing behaviour and emotional regulation Assist in delivering tailored interventions and support plans Build positive, trusting relationships with students Promote engagement in learning and classroom activities De-escalate challenging situations calmly and effectively Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, and external professionals Monitor and record student progress and wellbeing The Ideal Candidate Will Have Experience working with young people with behavioural or mental health needs (desirable) A calm, patient, and empathetic approach Strong communication and relationship-building skills The ability to remain resilient and professional in challenging situations An understanding of trauma-informed practice (desirable) A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people Leader Education can offer: Competitive pay rates Refer a friend or colleague bonus scheme: £100 per referral (terms apply) A dedicated consultant to answer any queries and for ongoing support Potential permanent contract after a qualifying period Interested candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV outlining their teaching experience and qualifications which are relevant to this role. Please email your CV to or call us on. Leader Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, all applicants must go through a thorough vetting procedure, including enhanced DBS and reference checks. INDTAN