Job Description

Tradewind Recruitment is actively seeking dedicated Key Workers to provide crucial 1:1 support and coordination for students across Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9) within Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and Alternative Provisions in the Hull area, starting September.

Do you excel at building strong, trusting relationships and coordinating comprehensive support for students facing complex social, emotional, or behavioural challenges? If you're ready to be a central point of contact and advocate for young people, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Key Worker, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring holistic and student-centred support for young people identified as needing intensive guidance. You will act as the primary point of contact and advocate for a caseload of students, fostering a safe, trusting, and supportive environment. Your work will involve building deep rapport, understanding individual needs, and coordinating bespoke interventions across various areas such as attendance, behaviour, emotional regulation, peer relationships, and academic engagement. You'll ensure students receive cohesive support to thrive within their educational environment and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

  • Individualised Key Working: Act as the designated Key Worker for a caseload of students, providing consistent 1:1 support, mentoring, and advocacy.

  • Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong, positive, and professional relationships with students, fostering trust, respect, and a sense of belonging.

  • Needs Assessment & Support Planning: Conduct informal assessments to understand students' individual needs and contribute to the development and coordination of tailored support plans.

  • Coordination of Support: Liaise and coordinate effectively with teaching staff, pastoral leaders, SENDCOs, parents/carers, and external agencies (e.g., CAMHS, social care, youth offending teams) to ensure a holistic, joined-up approach to student support.

  • Emotional Well-being: Support students in developing emotional literacy, self-regulation strategies, and resilience in managing personal challenges.

  • Behaviour & Attendance Improvement: Work proactively with students to improve school attendance, reduce challenging behaviours, and promote positive engagement in lessons and extracurricular activities.

  • Advocacy: Champion the needs and interests of your key students, ensuring their voice is heard and their support plans are responsive to their evolving requirements.

  • Safeguarding: Uphold the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding, adhering strictly to school policies and national guidelines ("Keeping Children Safe in Education"). Promptly identify and report any safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

  • Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records of all interventions, communications, and student progress.

  • Promoting Positive Ethos: Contribute actively to the inclusive, supportive culture of the PRU/Alternative Provision.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

Qualifications: A relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Care, Education, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field (e.g., Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice, relevant Diploma/Degree in Health & Social Care, Psychology, or Education).

Experience:

  • Significant proven experience (ideally 2+ years) working directly with young people aged 11-18 in a 1:1 support, mentoring, or key working capacity, preferably within a secondary school, PRU, alternative provision, or similar youth setting.

  • Demonstrable experience in building strong rapport with vulnerable young people and applying effective behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and restorative approaches.

  • Experience of supporting young people with complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and/or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Skills & Attributes:

  • Exceptional active listening and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and professional relationships quickly with young people and their families.

  • Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage a caseload, prioritise tasks, and liaise effectively across multiple stakeholders.

  • Patience, empathy, and resilience when navigating challenging situations and complex student needs.

  • A non-judgemental, highly supportive, and solution-focused approach to working with young people and their support networks.

  • Ability to work both independently on initiative and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

  • A proactive, adaptable, and flexible approach to problem-solving.

Safeguarding:

  • A comprehensive understanding of UK safeguarding legislation and "Keeping Children Safe in Education" guidance.

  • An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (on the Update Service is highly desirable) or willingness to undergo one.

Application Process

To apply for this highly rewarding and impactful position, please submit your CV along with a compelling covering letter (no more than two A4 pages) outlining your relevant experience, your approach to key working with young people, and how you meet the person specification.

Email: matt.ball@twrecruitment.com Call: 01482 238 878