SEMH Mentor
Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8TF18 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
1 September 2026 at 8am
Date listed
14 August 2026
Job details
Job role
- HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Fixed term - 1 academic year
Actual salary
- £25,774 - £28,147
What skills and experience we're looking for
Role: SEMH Mentor (Looked After Children / LAC Focus)
Academy:Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth (Stockton-on-Tees)
Start Date:As soon as possible
Salary:£25,744 (Actual Salary)
Working Pattern:32.5 Hours Per Week, Term Time + 5 Days (1-Year Fixed Term)
Become a reliable anchor for a young person who needs it most.
Being a Key Adult for a Looked After Child (LAC) is far more than an administrative title; it is about becoming a consistent, safe harbour in a world that has often been unstable.
In partnership with the Stockton Virtual School, Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth is seeking a compassionate, resilient, and dedicated SEMH Mentor. In this role, you will not just support academic progress, you will offer unconditional positive regard, help repair relational trauma, and build the secure attachment necessary for young people to thrive at GCSE level and beyond.
What you will do:
- Be a Daily Safe Harbour: Meet key students at the start of the day, provide emotional regulation support, celebrate small victories, and offer a quiet space when things become overwhelming.
- Build Targeted Strategies: Work directly with vulnerable students to develop regulating and coping mechanisms that remove barriers to learning.
- Advocate and Collaborate: Act as a fierce advocate for Looked After Children, coordinating closely with teachers, Stockton Virtual School, and external stakeholders to ensure bespoke adaptations are in place.
- Track Impact: Keep track of attendance and progress, using simple data insights to showcase how targeted interventions are helping students succeed.
What we are looking for:
- Empathy and Resilience: A deep understanding of trauma-informed practice, relational boundaries, and the invisible burdens vulnerable children carry into the classroom every day.
- Relevant Experience: A background in mentoring, youth work, pastoral care, or supporting young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
- High Expectations: A firm belief that every young person, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to transform their life through a quality education.
Why join Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth?
Located near key commuting routes in Stockton-on-Tees, Bishopsgarth is an improving school with a massive heart. We serve our local community with a relentless moral purpose.
- Invested Leadership: We invest heavily in our staff's workload, wellbeing, and professional development.
- Strong Relationships: Our staff know our students and families well, fostering a supportive community where you will feel valued from day one.
How to apply and next steps
Want to see our school in action or discuss the role before applying? We would love to welcome you for a visit!
- Questions or School Visits: Please contact Abigail Davies at a.davies@bishopsgarth.outwood.com
- Recruitment Booklet: Please click the link on our main portal to view the Support Staff Recruitment Booklet.
Responsibilities
As a SEMH Mentor, you will drive student success by providing tailored guidance, encouragement, and practical support. Working with pupils, you will help them navigate complex barriers to learning—focusing on developing emotional regulation and coping strategies, boosting motivation, and inspiring higher aspirations.
Qualifications
Candidates must be knowledgeable of the needs of students with learning difficulties and disabilities and the SEND Code of Practice. An understanding of Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed practice would be desirable.
About Us
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).
Note:If applying from an external job board, please click 'Apply' to access the working links on the Outwood Careers page
Please note, we reserve the right to close advertisements early, either on the advertised closing date, or sooner if required.
Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.
What the school offers its staff
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).
What will we do for you?
We offer a supportive package focusing on professional advancement, secure benefits, and work-life balance:
Secure Pay & Pension:Competitive salary, automatic pay progression, and enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Training & Progression:Access to diverse CPD opportunities, including apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.
Flexibility & Leave:Flexible family policies, enhanced occupational benefits (with no qualifying period), and 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays for non-term time staff.(Holiday for part-time staff is calculated on a pro-rata basis)
Wellbeing & Perks:Dedicated mental well-being strategy, free on-site parking, employee discounts, and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
If you are looking for a rewarding, supportive role where you can truly make an impact, we encourage you to apply now.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 580 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- a.davies@bishopsgarth.outwood.com
- Phone number
- 01642 586262
Arranging a visit to Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email a.davies@bishopsgarth.outwood.com.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (English/Literacy)
Acklam Grange School
Lodore Grove, Middlesbrough, TS5 8PB
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Stockton On Tees