Job Description
Are you looking to transition your skills from the justice sector or youth work into education?
We are recruiting a Behaviour Intervention Mentor to join a progressive Alternative Provision in Blackpool.
This setting supports vulnerable young people (Key Stages 3 and 4) who have faced barriers to mainstream education, including Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, school exclusion, and trauma.
Mainstream classroom experience is not required. Instead, this role prioritises professionals with frontline experience in HM Prison Service (HMP/YOI), Youth Justice, Youth Offending Teams (YOT), residential care, or targeted outreach youth work. If you are skilled at de-escalation, establishing firm boundaries, and mentoring young people at risk, your expertise translates directly into this environment.
The Role & Responsibilities
1:1 & Small Group Mentoring: Act as a consistent, grounding role model for students disengaged from learning or displaying challenging, dysregulated behaviours.
Proactive De-escalation: Recognise behavioural triggers early and implement restorative practices and calm de-escalation strategies.
Positive Re-engagement: Support young people with basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational pathways, encouraging attendance and personal accountability.
Safeguarding & Multi-Agency Working: Maintain rigorous records and liaise with the pastoral team, Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), social workers, and parents/carers.
Classroom & Break Support: Provide structured support during lessons, practical workshops, and unstructured lunch/break times to maintain a safe learning culture.
Candidate Profile & Transferable Backgrounds
We are seeking individuals with strong emotional resilience, high empathy, and a calm, non-confrontational communication style:
Backgrounds Desired:
Former or current Prison Officers / Prison Custody Officers (PCO) (adult estate or Youth Custody Service)
Youth Justice / Youth Offending Service (YOS/YOT) workers
Qualified or experienced Youth Workers / Detached Youth Outreach workers
Children's Residential Support Workers (EBD / SEMH homes)
Ex-military, police, or probation professionals seeking a daytime role in education
Core Competencies:
Proven ability to build authentic rapport with hard-to-reach adolescents.
Calm authority under pressure with strong verbal conflict-resolution skills.
Resilience, thick skin, and a firm belief in second chances.
Physical de-escalation/positive handling training (e.g., Team Teach, MAPA, C&R) is advantageous, though full training will be provided.
Benefits & What the Role Offers
Balanced Working Hours: Monday to Friday, term-time only (no night shifts, weekend rotas, or erratic shift patterns).
Clear Temp-to-Perm Pathway: Opportunity to transition directly onto a permanent school contract following a successful probationary period.
Continuous Professional Development: Access to accredited safeguarding refreshers, trauma-informed practice workshops, and Team Teach de-escalation certifications.
Transparent Weekly Pay: Paid via PAYE with transparent rates and dedicated compliance support.
Requirements & Compliance
Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or willingness to complete a new check).
Full 10-year employment history with satisfactory professional references.
How to Apply
Click "Apply Now" to submit an updated CV detailing your relevant youth work, custodial, or behavioural support background, or contact our Lancashire & Blackpool education team directly to discuss the role in confidence.
