Youth Re-engagement Support Worker

Youth Re‑engagement Support Worker – SEMH & Alternative Provision

Location:

Wakefield (commutable from Pontefract, Castleford, Barnsley & surrounding areas)
Pay: £114.33 per day
Job Type: Full-time, Term-Time Only

Start Date:

ASAP / September Start Available

Are you a Criminology, Psychology, or Sociology graduate looking to gain hands‑on experience working with vulnerable young people?

We are recruiting a Youth Re‑engagement Support Worker for a specialist SEMH and Alternative Provision setting in Wakefield, supporting students aged 7–16 who face significant barriers to education, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, challenging behaviour, trauma, and exclusion from mainstream schools.

This role is an excellent opportunity for graduates interested in careers in youth justice, probation, policing, social work, counselling, forensic psychology, or education.

The school provides a structured, supportive, and trauma-informed environment for young people who have struggled within mainstream education. Staff focus on helping students rebuild confidence, improve emotional regulation, and positively re‑engage with learning.

Using restorative approaches and positive behaviour support strategies, the school helps pupils develop the skills needed to succeed both academically and personally.

In this role, you will:

• Support students on a 1:1 basis and in small groups
• Help pupils re‑engage with education and classroom learning
• Support students with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, and emotional regulation
• Build positive relationships with vulnerable or disengaged young people
• Use restorative and trauma‑informed approaches to manage behaviour
• Promote resilience, confidence, and positive decision‑making
• Work closely with teachers, pastoral teams, SEN staff, and external agencies
• Create a calm, safe, and structured learning environment

This role provides valuable frontline experience for anyone considering careers in:

• Youth Justice
• Social Work
• Educational Psychology
• Probation Services
• Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)
• Mental Health & Counselling
• Teaching & SEN Education

You’ll develop key professional skills including:

• Behaviour management and de‑escalation
• Safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice
• Relationship building with hard‑to‑reach young people
• Emotional regulation strategies
• Multi‑agency working and professional communication

We are looking for someone who is:

• A graduate in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Education, or a related field
• Passionate about supporting vulnerable young people
• Calm, resilient, and patient under pressure
• Confident building relationships with challenging or disengaged students
• Interested in careers within youth justice, SEMH, or social care
• Previous experience with young people is desirable but not essential

• Competitive daily pay – £114.33 per day
• Long-term opportunity within a specialist SEMH setting
• Excellent experience for aspiring youth justice or social care professionals
• Ongoing CPD and behaviour management training
• Supportive and experienced leadership team
• Term‑time only working hours
• Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement
• Access to professional development through Milk Education

Samuel Agbana
sam