Special School Engagement Coach

Prospero Teaching are seeking an Engagement Coach to join an independent specialist school in the Poole area, supporting students across KS3, KS4 and Post‑16 who experience barriers to school attendance, including EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance).

About the Role

As an Engagement Coach, you will work directly with students in their homes, in school, and within the community to help increase their engagement with learning and support their transition back into education. This role is central to the school's EBSA model, which focuses on gradually reducing support while increasing student independence and confidence.

Your role will involve:

Building a trusting, positive relationship that helps students feel safe, understood, and motivated.
Delivering 1:1 learning and pastoral sessions at home, in the community, and on-site.
Supporting students to regulate emotions, develop resilience, and re-engage with education.
Assisting students with accessing online learning and remote lessons.
Planning and delivering personalised learning activities and off-site sessions.
Transporting students to school or off-site provisions using a school vehicle.
Working collaboratively with families, carers, and a small staff team to support holistic progress.
Creating and adapting timetables to meet individual needs and promote successful outcomes.
Providing high-quality handovers and maintaining accurate records of progress and engagement.

What We're Looking For

A calm, patient, and emotionally intelligent approach.
Strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport with young people and families.
Experience working with autistic young people or those with additional needs or challenging behaviours.
Experience delivering 1:1 sessions or interventions.
Understanding of behaviour as communication and a willingness to use positive, relationship‑based approaches.
Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to work independently as well as part of a small team.
Attention to detail and confidence in planning, recording, and reporting.
A proactive mindset and willingness to support students in a range of environments.

Essential:

GCSE English & Maths (grade C/level 4 or above)
Full driving licence

Desirable:

Knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism, ADHD)
Experience in specialist settings
First Aid or Food Hygiene training
Teaching Assistant qualification

Role Details

Hours:

Full-time, term-time only

Contract:

Temp-to-Perm

Pay: £23,000 - £26,000 per annum

Location:

Poole

Requirements

Right to work in the UK
Enhanced Child Barred List DBS (or willingness to obtain one)
References covering the last 24 months

Refer a Friend

Know someone who would thrive in an specialist school environment? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation - (Terms and conditions apply)