Specialist SEMH Support Worker (6 posts)

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Barnsley Council. We are seeking to appoint 6 full time, permanent specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Support Workers to work within our highly valued and well-established Education Inclusion Service to support the borough-wide inclusion of children and young people who have SEND. We would be particularly interested in hearing from applicants with expertise in all areas of SEND but with a focus on SEMH needs. Alongside other teams and professionals you will support the work of the Barnsley Schools Alliance in partnership with schools and settings. You will be joining a team of specialist teachers and SEND improvement officers and will be expected to have excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to upskill staff in mainstream schools to support children and young people with SEMH needs.

This term time only role will involve providing advice and guidance, interventions, and strategies to remove barriers to learning and promote successful outcomes for individual, and groups of children and young people within educational settings. You will support and upskill staff through coaching and model techniques. There will be a key focus on reviewing provision and impact measures for the children and young people you will be supporting. The post will involves working directly with all our schools and settings, children, young people and parents/carers.

This post involves travel across the borough and requires the successful candidate to be organised and able to manage their time efficiently.

Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent services, and taking pride in what we do. Relational approaches are fundamental to how we work, and we support well-being through structured and informal peer support alongside professional development opportunities.

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, creative colleagues to join a dedicated and innovative team of professionals to play a key role in shaping future approaches to inclusion at a local authority level. We offer excellent town centre office space, remote working, flexible working and promote a good work life balance. We offer a full induction from a welcoming and supportive team.

We are looking for candidates with:

• Training and/or qualifications in relation to supporting SEMH needs

• An understanding of Trauma Informed Practice

• Up to date expertise and knowledge of SEND legislation including The Children and Families Act 2014 and the Code of Practice for SEN and statutory guidance and how this should be applied in education settings to ensure whole school inclusion.

• Considerable experience of working in schools with children and young people who have SEND, including knowledge of strategies, approaches and resources to support inclusion and social, emotional mental health needs.

• Understanding of SEMH needs and of approaches to meeting these in a mainstream school setting

• The ability to collaborate effectively with school staff, leaders and across multi-agency teams and partners

• A focus on the wellbeing of children, taking a holistic view of each individual child and their circumstances

• A child-centred approach, offering tailored and bespoke advice to support SEMH needs.

• The skills to support school staff to develop their capacity and understanding to support children and young people with SEMH needs

• The ability to promote sustainable and positive change in relation to SEMH in education settings.

If you are interested in using your skills and experience in this role, we would like to hear from you. For more information, or to have an informal conversation, please contact Bev Bradley – SEND Improvement Service Manager bevbradley@barnsley.gov.uk

Full-time, permanent, term time only

Salary: NJC Grade 7