Full job descriptionBehaviour Mentor – SEND Unit, London

South East London | Full-Time | Temp to Perm | End of September Start

Tara Professional Recruitment are currently seeking an experienced Behaviour Mentor to join a welcoming primary school in South East London, working within a specialist SEMH Resource Base.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Behaviour Mentor who understands SEMH, emotional regulation and challenging behaviour, and who can build strong, trusting relationships with children who may experience significant barriers to learning.
The position is full-time, long-term and temp-to-perm, with the successful Behaviour Mentor having the opportunity to secure a permanent position following a successful period with the school.
The RoleAs a Behaviour Mentor, you will work closely with primary-aged pupils within the school’s dedicated SEMH provision, supporting children who may experience:
*Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs
*Dysregulated or challenging behaviour
*Difficulties with emotional regulation
*Anxiety, frustration and managing strong emotions
*Barriers to learning and engagement
*Difficulties with relationships and social interaction
*Low confidence or difficulties with transitions
The Behaviour Mentor will play an important role in helping pupils understand and regulate their emotions, develop positive relationships and re-engage with their education.
You will:
*Provide consistent one-to-one and small-group support
*Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils
*Support children during periods of emotional dysregulation
*Use positive and restorative approaches to behaviour management
*Help pupils recognise and communicate their emotions
*Encourage positive behaviour and engagement with learning
*Support pupils transitioning between the SEMH provision and mainstream school
*Promote independence, confidence and social development
*Work closely with teachers and the wider specialist team
*Provide a calm, structured and nurturing presence throughout the school day
The School & SEMH ProvisionThe Behaviour Mentor will work within a dedicated SEMH Resource Base situated within a mainstream primary school.
The provision provides a smaller, nurturing environment where pupils can receive tailored support for their individual needs, while remaining part of the wider school community.
The approach is strongly centred around nurture, emotional wellbeing, relationships and understanding behaviour as a form of communication. The successful Behaviour Mentor will therefore need to be patient, consistent and able to look beyond behaviour to understand the needs behind it.
The Ideal Behaviour MentorWe are looking for an experienced Behaviour Mentor who has previously supported children or young people with SEMH and/or challenging behaviour.
You may have worked previously as a:
*Behaviour Mentor
*SEMH Teaching Assistant
*Behaviour Support Worker
*Learning Support Assistant
*Specialist Teaching Assistant
*Youth Worker
*Pastoral Support Worker
*Therapeutic Support Worker
Previous experience within an SEMH Resource Base, PRU, Alternative Provision or specialist SEND setting would be highly advantageous.
Most importantly, you will need to be:
*Experienced in supporting challenging or dysregulated behaviour
*Calm and resilient under pressure
*Patient and emotionally intelligent
*Confident establishing clear and consistent boundaries
*Skilled at building positive relationships
*Able to remain calm during difficult situations
*Understanding of behaviour as communication
*Passionate about helping children overcome barriers to learning
Requirements*Previous SEMH/behaviour experience is essential
*Experience supporting challenging or dysregulated behaviour
*Strong understanding of positive behaviour management
*Experience working with children or young people
*Enhanced DBS on the Update Service preferred, or Tara can assist
*Ideally able to provide two years of references
*Available to start at the end of September 2026
The OpportunityThis is a full-time, long-term Behaviour Mentor position with a genuine temp-to-perm opportunity for the right person.
You will become an important member of a specialist SEMH team, working closely with pupils who benefit from consistent relationships, structure and targeted emotional and behavioural support.
If you are an experienced Behaviour Mentor looking for a rewarding long-term opportunity in a specialist primary SEMH environment, we would love to hear from you.