Job Description

re you currently working in children's residential care or youth mental health and looking to swap unsociable shift patterns for term-time school hours?

We are seeking a resilient, compassionate, and grounded Mental Health & Behaviour Support Mentor with a background in Children's Residential Care, CAMHS, or Youth Mental Health to join a forward-thinking secondary school in Blackpool.

This role is designed specifically for professionals who already understand complex trauma, attachment disorders, and emotional dysregulation. You will bring your de-escalation skills and therapeutic mindset into a mainstream and pastoral secondary school environment-acting as a vital bridge between emotional wellbeing and educational engagement.

Best of all, you get to keep making the deep, positive impact you love while working Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, with all school holidays off.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

  • Provide dedicated 1:1 and small-group pastoral support to secondary students (ages 11-16) facing mental health challenges, chronic anxiety, school refusal, or complex trauma.

  • Support pupils in times of crisis, providing safe spaces and using therapeutic de-escalation and emotion coaching to help them regulate and return to learning.

  • Deliver targeted mental health and wellbeing interventions focused on emotional resilience, healthy coping strategies, and self-esteem.

  • Support students in the classroom to maintain focus and engagement, advocating for their emotional needs with class teachers.

  • Collaborate closely with the school's Safeguarding Lead, SENCO, Heads of Year, and external agencies (such as CASHER, CAMHS, and Social Services).

  • Keep clear, accurate pastoral and safeguarding records following school child protection policies.

Who We Are Looking For

  • Background: Proven experience as a Residential Support Worker (Children's Homes / Semi-Independent Living), Youth Mental Health Practitioner, CAMHS Support Worker, or Therapeutic Care Worker.

  • Understanding of Needs: Solid, practical understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, and SEMH.

  • De-escalation Skills: Calm under high-stress situations; trained in positive handling or de-escalation (e.g., Team Teach, PRICE, MAPA, or Restorative Practice) is highly desirable.

  • Mindset: Non-judgmental, authentic, highly empathetic, and resilient-someone who naturally builds trust with vulnerable, hard-to-reach teenagers.

  • Safeguarding: An Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to complete one immediately) and fully checkable reference history.

  • Location: Based in or easily commutable across Blackpool, Fylde, or Wyre (FY1-FY5).

Why Transition to Education?

  • Say Goodbye to Shift Work: Standard school hours only-no night shifts, sleep-ins, 12-hour rotations, or working over Christmas and bank holidays.

  • 13 Weeks Holiday: Enjoy every school holiday off, allowing genuine work-life balance and time to recharge.

  • Long-Term Consistency: A permanent routine working with the same cohort of young people across the academic year.

  • Weekly PAYE Pay: Reliable, transparent daily rates paid directly every Friday with no umbrella fees.

How to Apply

If you are ready to apply your residential or youth mental health experience in a supportive secondary school environment in Blackpool, we want to hear from you.

Click 'Apply Now' with your CV, or contact our team directly to arrange a school tour and immediate trial day.

Residential Support Worker, Children's Residential, CAMHS, Mental Health Support, Youth Worker, Trauma-Informed, Secondary School, High School, Blackpool, FY1, FY2, FY3, FY4, Fylde Coast, Term-Time Only, PAYE.