Youth Support Worker

Youth Support Worker

Location:

Penarth, Cardiff

Salary: £93 / day

Contract type:
Full time, flexible

As an important member of our school's support team, you will work closely with specialist behaviour practitioners and teaching staff to assist learners with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, and Profound and Multiple Learning difficulties (PMLD). Many of our pupils have faced challenges in mainstream education and benefit from consistent emotional support, structure, and relationship‑based approaches to help them re‑engage positively with learning.

In this teaching assistant role, you will play a key part in creating a calm, safe, and predictable environment where pupils feel understood and supported. You will work with small groups of around 4‑6 pupils and may also provide 1:1 support for learners with more complex behavioural or emotional needs.

• Supporting learners to regulate their emotions using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches.
• Supporting the class teacher in daily activities.
• Helping pupils re‑establish positive learning routines while developing resilience, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Implementing behaviour support plans and using de‑escalation strategies effectively.
• Encouraging engagement through personalised activities that promote confidence, self‑esteem, and motivation.

Our school provides a supportive and specialist setting for children and young people who thrive with an alternative approach to mainstream education. We work with pupils from primary age up to 19, offering individualised learning programmes that prioritise emotional wellbeing, personal development, and successful re‑engagement with learning.

Our school prioritises strong relationships, consistency, and a therapeutic approach at the heart of everything they do. Our dedicated team works collaboratively to empower learners to become confident, resilient, and responsible individuals who can make positive choices and build meaningful futures based on their strengths and aspirations.

• No previous experience is required, although any work involving young people with behavioural or emotional needs is highly beneficial.
• A positive, compassionate, and non‑judgmental attitude, with a genuine passion for supporting learners who may face significant challenges.
• The ability to remain calm, patient, and adaptable in high‑pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Child and Adult Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (we can support you with this).
• Registration with the Education Workforce Council (EWC).
• Full UK driving licence and access to personal transport.