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Job Description:
Secondary SEN Teacher – Alternative Provision (KS3 & KS4)
Full-Time | Permanent | QTS Required (or equivalent experience considered)

Specialism: Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Independent Alternative Provision
Are you a resilient, compassionate and skilled Secondary SEN Teacher with a passion for supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? Do you believe in the power of relationships, consistency and high expectations to transform the life chances of vulnerable learners?
We are seeking a dedicated and reflective SEN Teacher to join our Independent Alternative Provision for KS3 and KS4 pupils. This is a unique opportunity to work with small groups of young people who require a highly individualised, nurturing and therapeutic approach to education.
Our provision supports pupils who may have experienced barriers to learning in mainstream education, including disrupted education, trauma, anxiety, behavioural needs and wider SEMH challenges. Our aim is to re-engage learners, rebuild confidence and enable meaningful academic, social and emotional progress.

About the Role
You will deliver high-quality, differentiated teaching across KS3 and KS4 within a small-group alternative provision setting. Teaching will be highly adaptive, relational and responsive to the needs of learners, with a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, engagement and re-engagement in learning.
You will work closely with pastoral staff, SEN professionals, therapists, senior leaders and families to provide a consistent, structured and supportive environment where pupils feel safe, understood and able to succeed.
The role combines subject teaching (including core subjects where appropriate) with therapeutic and SEMH-informed practice, ensuring pupils can access education at a level appropriate to their needs and build towards recognised qualifications where suitable.

Our Approach to SEMH and Alternative Provision
Our provision is built on the belief that behaviour is communication and that every young person deserves a personalised pathway to success. We provide:

• Small class sizes with high levels of adult support
• Trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
• Consistent routines, boundaries and expectations
• Individualised learning pathways tailored to academic and emotional needs
• Integrated pastoral and academic support
• A focus on reintegration, progression and positive destinations
• Strong emphasis on emotional regulation and self-management skills
• A safe, structured and nurturing environment

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, differentiated lessons across KS3 and KS4
• Teach and support core subject learning where required (English, Maths and/or other subjects)
• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils with SEMH needs
• Support learners who may present with challenging behaviour, anxiety, trauma or disengagement from education
• Develop personalised learning plans and contribute to EHCP outcomes where applicable
• Use restorative, trauma-informed and de-escalation approaches to support behaviour and emotional regulation
• Promote positive engagement, attendance and progress in learning
• Work collaboratively with pastoral staff, leadership, therapists and external agencies
• Support pupils in developing resilience, independence and readiness for next steps in education, training or employment

Pupil Needs Supported
You will be working with pupils presenting with a range of needs, including:

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
• Trauma and attachment-related needs
• ADHD and associated behavioural needs
• Speech, language and communication difficulties
• Autism (including high-anxiety presentations)
• Gaps in learning due to disrupted education

Approaches and Interventions
Our staff are trained in a range of SEMH-informed and therapeutic approaches, including:

• Trauma-informed practice
• Attachment-aware strategies
• Restorative approaches
• De-escalation and positive behaviour support
• Emotional literacy and regulation strategies
• Mentoring and coaching approaches
• Structured routines and predictability to support engagement
• Functional behaviour understanding and planning

Training and Professional Development

• Comprehensive induction into SEMH and Alternative Provision practice
• Ongoing CPD in trauma-informed education, behaviour support and inclusive teaching
• Opportunities to develop specialist expertise in SEMH and alternative education models
• Supportive supervision and reflective practice
• Clear pathways for progression within alternative provision and leadership

Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching experience (essential)
• Strong understanding of SEMH and barriers to learning
• Experience in Alternative Provision, PRU, SEN or similar settings (desirable)
• Ability to build strong, positive relationships with vulnerable learners
• Excellent behaviour management grounded in relational and restorative approaches
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and pupil wellbeing
• Resilience, adaptability and a solution-focused mindset
• A belief in second chances and personalised education pathways

What We Offer

• A supportive and values-driven independent provision
• Small class sizes enabling meaningful impact
• High levels of pastoral and leadership support
• Ongoing specialist SEMH training and development
• Opportunity to make a significant difference to young people’s life chances
• Competitive salary based on experience

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.