Location: Essex
Pay: £100 per day PAYE
Contract: Long-Term Contract
Working Pattern: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Can you manage challenging behaviour?
Do you have experience supporting young people with SEMH?
Are you someone who can see the person behind the behaviour?
Parker Smith Inclusion is working with an inspiring Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Essex that is looking for a resilient, caring and passionate PRU Mentor to join their team.
The setting supports secondary-aged young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, helping them overcome barriers to education and develop the confidence, skills and resilience they need for their future.
With a small community of pupils and staff, the setting has a genuine family feel. Relationships are at the heart of what they do, and staff take the time to understand each young person as an individual.
The Role
As a PRU Mentor, you'll play an important role in helping young people re-engage with education and develop positive relationships with learning.
You'll be supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour or have experienced difficulties within mainstream education.
Your role will include:
- Building strong, trusting relationships with young people.
- Supporting pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
- Acting as a positive and consistent role model.
- Helping pupils regulate their emotions and develop positive coping strategies.
- Supporting students to engage with their education and reach their potential.
- Working closely with teachers and other support staff to provide consistent support.
- Encouraging confidence, resilience, independence and positive behaviour.
- Helping create a calm, safe and supportive environment where pupils feel understood.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is:
- Experienced working with young people with SEMH and challenging behaviour.
- Caring, compassionate and empathetic.
- Confident and resilient when faced with challenging situations.
- Able to build meaningful relationships with young people.
- Patient, consistent and able to maintain clear boundaries.
- A positive role model who genuinely wants to make a difference.
Experience within a PRU, alternative provision, SEMH school, youth work, residential care or similar setting would be highly beneficial.
Why Parker Smith Inclusion?
At Parker Smith Inclusion, we believe recruitment should be about relationships first, not simply filling vacancies.
When you work with us, you'll have access to:
- A wider range of opportunities – including roles that aren't always advertised publicly.
- SEND education expertise – we understand the settings you're applying to and what they are looking for.
- CV and application support – helping you present your experience effectively.
- Interview preparation – tailored support to help you feel confident before your interview.
- One application, multiple opportunities – register once and we'll match you with suitable roles.
- Continued support – we'll be there throughout the process, from your initial application onwards.
If you're someone who believes that behaviour is communication and wants to help young people feel understood, supported and capable of achieving more, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your updated CV or contact Harry at Parker Smith Inclusion on harry@psinclusion.co.uk.
Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates are subject to the appropriate safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check where required.