SEND Assistant Therapeutic Mentor

• Sendsory
• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk
• Salary: £24,022.32 per annum, Grade 4, Scale point 10
• Hours: Full time, 8.00 am - 4.30 pm, Term time only
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 August 2027
• Reference: 0913

Sendsory is looking for a warm, compassionate and motivated SEND Assistant Therapeutic Mentor to join our specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) provision, and work alongside our Therapeutic Teacher to support children’s emotional wellbeing, development and independence.

This is a hands‑on, child‑centred role for someone who is passionate about supporting children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and understands the importance of building positive, trusting relationships.

As a SEND Assistant Therapeutic Mentor, you will play an important role in delivering our therapeutic curriculum, supporting children to achieve their individual EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) outcomes and developing the life skills, emotional regulation, social communication and independence they need to prepare for everyday life and future learning.

You will work closely with the Therapeutic Teacher, Head of Wellbeing and Development, Occupational Therapist and wider team to provide a consistent, trauma‑informed and attachment‑aware approach to supporting every child.

No two days will be the same. You could be delivering a structured wellbeing activity, supporting a child during community‑based learning, helping a pupil regulate their emotions, developing social communication skills through play, or simply being the consistent trusted adult a child needs that day.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver engaging, child‑centred 1-2-1 and small‑group sessions under the direction of the Therapeutic Teacher, including elements of the therapeutic curriculum.
• Implement individual EHCP outcomes within sessions under the direction of the Therapeutic Teacher.
• Support pupils to achieve outcomes linked to AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) Unit Award Scheme Certificates.
• Deliver structured wellbeing activities, including Talk and Draw and Lego‑based therapy, following appropriate training and supervision.
• Support community‑based learning, accompanying pupils into the community to develop confidence, independence, life skills and social communication in real‑world settings.
• Promote life skills, emotional regulation, social communication and independence through daily routines, structured activities and therapeutic interactions.
• Encourage pupils to develop confidence, self‑help skills, problem‑solving abilities and positive peer relationships.
• Provide personal care where required, always maintaining the child’s dignity, privacy and respect.
• Support children during breakfast and lunch, encouraging independence, communication and positive social interaction.
• Build consistent and positive mentoring relationships with pupils, modelling appropriate behaviour, emotional regulation and clear boundaries.
• Actively support the de‑escalation of challenging behaviour using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches, in line with Behaviour Safe in Education training.
• Recognise emotional triggers and respond with consistent, supportive strategies that promote emotional safety, predictability and trust.
• Create and maintain safe, welcoming and calming therapeutic spaces, including setting up and tidying resources before and after sessions.
• Work collaboratively with the Therapeutic Teacher, Head of Wellbeing and Development, Occupational Therapist and wider team to ensure a consistent therapeutic approach.
• Record and report behaviour incidents, wellbeing concerns and safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures.
• Attend safeguarding and behaviour briefings and contribute positively…