Behaviour Mentor - SEMH & Pastoral Support

Location: Whitley, Reading, Berkshire

Job Title: Behaviour Mentor
School Type: Primary and Secondary (Mixed Provision)
Salary: £85–£115 per day (depending on experience)
Contract: Full-time, long-term, term-time only
Start Date: Immediate / Flexible

Role Overview

We are recruiting a dedicated, empathetic, and resilient Behaviour Mentor to work within a supportive school environment in the Whitley area of Reading . This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping children and young people overcome behavioural, emotional, and social barriers to learning.

The Behaviour Mentor will provide targeted support to pupils who may struggle to regulate their emotions, manage their behaviour, or engage positively with education. Many of the students you will work with have Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs , and some may have experienced trauma, instability, or repeated challenges within mainstream education.

This is a highly rewarding role for someone who believes in early intervention, relationship-based support, and the power of consistent, positive adult influence.

Key Purpose of the Role

The Behaviour Mentor will act as a key adult for identified pupils, helping them develop emotional awareness, resilience, and appropriate behaviour strategies. You will support students both in and out of the classroom, working proactively to prevent behavioural incidents and reactively to help pupils reflect and learn from challenges.

Your role will be central to promoting a calm, inclusive, and safe learning environment for all students.

Key Responsibilities

As a Behaviour Mentor in Whitley, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 behaviour mentoring to pupils with SEMH needs

• Delivering structured small group interventions focusing on emotional regulation, social skills, and confidence

• Supporting pupils within the classroom to improve engagement and reduce disruption

• Assisting pupils during transitions, break times, and lunch periods

• Helping pupils identify emotional triggers and develop coping strategies

• De-escalating challenging behaviour using calm, consistent approaches

• Supporting pupils following exclusions or behaviour-related incidents

• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, pastoral leads, and senior leadership

• Contributing to behaviour support plans and risk assessments

• Monitoring progress and recording behaviour outcomes accurately

• Liaising with parents, carers, and external professionals when appropriate

• Promoting positive behaviour, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing

The School Setting

This school in Whitley, Reading serves a diverse local community and is known for its strong pastoral ethos. The school prioritises emotional wellbeing alongside academic achievement and has invested significantly in its behaviour support provision.

Staff work collaboratively, and Behaviour Mentors are valued members of the wider school team. Leadership is supportive and understands the challenges involved in SEMH work, ensuring staff receive guidance, supervision, and access to training.

The school follows restorative, trauma-informed practices , recognising that behaviour often reflects unmet needs rather than deliberate defiance.

The Students You Will Support

Pupils supported in this role may:

• Display challenging or disruptive behaviour

• Struggle with emotional regulation or anxiety

• Have SEMH needs, ADHD, or attachment difficulties

• Find it difficult to form positive peer relationships

• Be at risk of exclusion or disengagement

As a Behaviour Mentor, your role is to provide consistency, understanding, and clear boundaries , helping pupils feel safe enough to learn and grow.

Who This Role Is For

This role would suit individuals who:

• Have experience working with children or young people in challenging contexts

• Are calm, patient, and emotionally resilient

• Can build strong, trusting relationships

• Are confident managing difficult behaviour without confrontation

• Want to pursue a career in education, mental health, youth work, or psychology

Graduates in psychology, criminology, education, or social sciences are particularly encouraged to apply, as are individuals with backgrounds in youth work, care, mentoring, or sports coaching.

Essential Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection

• Willingness to undertake relevant training

Desirable Experience

• SEMH, alternative provision, or PRU experience

• Previous Behaviour Mentor or Teaching Assistant role

• Understanding of trauma-informed practice

• Relevant qualifications in education or mental health

What the School Offers

• Competitive daily pay with long-term stability

• Ongoing training and CPD opportunities

• Supportive leadership and pastoral teams

• A positive, inclusive working environment

• Opportunities for progression within education or pastoral care

Why This Role Matters

As a Behaviour Mentor in Whitley, you will play a crucial role in shaping positive outcomes for pupils who may otherwise struggle to succeed in education. Your ability to listen, support, and guide students can have a lasting impact far beyond the classroom.

If you are passionate about making a difference, committed to inclusion, and motivated to support young people through challenges, this Behaviour Mentor role in Whitley offers a meaningful and rewarding opportunity.