SEMH Lead Practitioner; Berkshire

Some young people need more than a learning programme to succeed. They need somebody who can help them feel safe, understood and ready to engage.

We’re looking for an SEMH Lead to join our team and provide specialist support for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. Many of the learners we work with have experienced challenges that make education, relationships and self-regulation difficult. They need consistent adults who can build trust, understand behaviour as communication, and help them develop the confidence and resilience to move forward.

This is a leadership role. You’ll work directly with learners, whilst also providing guidance and support to colleagues across the centre. You’ll help shape approaches to SEMH support, contribute to safeguarding and pastoral processes, and work closely with tutors, Learning Support Assistants and wider professionals to ensure learners receive the right support at the right time.

We’re looking for somebody who combines specialist SEMH knowledge with strong leadership skills and a genuine belief in the potential of young people. Someone who can remain calm during difficult situations, think creatively when traditional approaches aren’t working, and help others develop their confidence in supporting learners with complex needs.

• Build positive, trusting and supportive relationships with learners with complex SEMH needs.
• Lead the implementation of trauma-informed approaches and support colleagues to apply them consistently.
• Deliver targeted 1:1 mentoring and support sessions for learners who require additional intervention.
• Provide specialist advice, guidance and practical support to tutors, Learning Support Assistants and wider colleagues.
• Support learners to develop emotional resilience, self-regulation, confidence and positive engagement in learning.
• Assess learners’ SEMH needs and contribute to support planning and intervention strategies.
• Support and advise on SEMH interventions identified within EHCPs and other support plans.
• De-escalate situations effectively and support colleagues in managing periods of dysregulation.
• Work collaboratively with the EHCP and Safeguarding Manager, external agencies and other professionals to support positive learner outcomes.
• Contribute to safeguarding processes, attend relevant meetings and support Early Help referrals where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor interventions and evaluate the impact of support provided.
• Encourage attendance, participation and engagement by helping learners understand the connection between effort, consistency and future opportunities.
• Contribute to the continual development of SEMH practice across the organisation through reflection, training and collaboration.

New Meaning Training (NMT) offers education with a difference. We are a post 16 training and education provider dedicated to helping young people aged 16–25 discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living.

This academic year New Meaning Training has over 320 young people from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Berkshire. Many of these learners are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings.

Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as “Toolshed.” Eleven years on, NMT continues to grow. In Berkshire we’re fortunate enough to have expanded into a second building in Reading to create a quieter space for Creative Art & Design, Achieve Lifeskills and Transition learners. And in our main building (The Point) we have Construction Multiskills, Sports and Boost Work skills.

All incorporate functional…