Support Mentors Needed – Special Needs School, Reading
Are you calm, resilient and passionate about making a real difference?

Our specialist SEMH/SEND provision in Reading is looking for dedicated staff to join our team for long-term placements th
Their students have complex needs, including:
*Histories of trauma
*Exposure to domestic violence
*Living with grandparents or extended family
*Minimal routine and low engagement in learning
*Inconsistent attendance
*Some with very limited literacy, and some who struggle to communicate their needs
*High emotional needs and behaviours that communicate distress
This is not a behaviour-focused school—it’s a place where behaviour is understood as communication.
Many of their pupils have never experienced stable, trusting relationships. Some come to school hungry, some have never been truly listened to, and many need extra time before they feel safe enough to learn.
What They’re Looking For
They welcome applicants from:

? Mental health services

? Health care

? Youth work

? Residential care

? SEND or PRU backgrounds
But most importantly, we’re looking for people who are:
*Calm, grounded, and positive role models
*Proactive (not blasé or passive)
*Emotionally resilient and consistent
*Able to build trust slowly and sensitively
*Comfortable with physical and emotional dysregulation
*Non-reactive and never confrontational
About the School
The setting has:
*High staff-to-student ratios
*An incredibly supportive and visible SLT
*A team culture where everyone lifts each other up
*A gym and outdoor spaces for movement and engagement
*A compression room for students who need deep-pressure support
*A dedicated supply/quiet room for staff reset time
They don’t have sensory rooms—but they do have a staff team who shows up every day with heart, humour, and resilience.
What You’ll Be Doing
*Building relationships through trust, consistency, and genuine care
*Encouraging students back into the classroom—even if it starts with playing football or chatting over lunch
*Supporting pupils who may not be able to read or write
*Helping students regulate emotions when overwhelmed
*Being a safe, predictable adult in their day
*Celebrating even the smallest steps forward
This is also the first time some pupils receive a healthy meal in their day—your presence truly matters.
Why Join Them?
Because when a child who once pushed everyone away finally lets you in…

When a student who never attended sits down next to you in class…

When you see a young person feel safe enough to try again…
That’s when you realise you’re changing lives.
If you have a strong will, a gentle approach, and an unwavering belief in every child, we want to hear from you.