SEMH Lead Practitioner
(Social Emotional and Mental Health Lead)
New Meaning Centre: NMT Berkshire
Employer: New Meaning Training (NMT)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: From £33,000
Start date: Mid August
Introduction

Would you like to work for New Meaning Training? An alternative education provision helping young people to find their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living.

• Do you want to share your strengths with a young person who needs support with getting ready for living in the adult world?
• Do you have experience working with young people with complex SEMH needs?
• Have you had training in trauma informed practices?

New Meaning Training (NMT) delivers learning programmes that are designed to empower and support young people in everyday fundamentals for living life more independently. Tutors and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) support learners as they acquire skills for employment, training, life skills and personal development as well as English and Maths Functional Skills.
We are looking for an SEMH Lead to work with young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs as outlined in their EHCPs, for them to access our setting.

Successful applicants must:

• Relevant qualification
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working with young people with complex SEMH needs
• Have had certified training in trauma informed practices and experience using the approaches
• Have between 6 to 12 case studies using relational approaches and implementing de-escalation strategies.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in mentoring / coaching and preferably with a certified coaching qualification
• Knowledge and experience in speech and language communication differences.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience and understanding in managing young people that are dysregulated.
• Must have the ability to connect with young people and case studies that prove this is the case.

All learners at NMT have varying levels and areas of need such as: autism, ADHD, anxiety, attachment disorder, dyslexia, experience of trauma, social emotional needs, and learning difficulties amongst others. Come and work for our Stratford-upon-Avon team who dedicate themselves to supporting young people in energising, inclusive and caring work environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Build a supportive and nurturing relationship with young people.
• Implement trauma informed practices.
• Run 1:1 mentoring sessions
• Directly support learners with complex SEMH needs
• Provide advice and support to the wider team
• Safeguarding responsibilities to DSL level 4
• Attend relevant meetings
• Manage Early Help Referrals
• Work collaboratively with the EHCP and Safeguarding manager
• Run or advise on 1:1 or small group interventions named on the EHCP.
• Deescalate situations as they arise.
• Support learners in developing emotional resilience, self regulation and confidence in learning.
• Assess learner’s SEMH needs in order that they receive the right level of support.
• Support learners with their social and emotional development
• Working in accordance with and full understanding of NMT’s safeguarding protocols and procedures
• Encourage and reinforce to the young people the links between regular attendance, participation, effort, and positive outcomes.
• Work as part of a team to generate creative ideas for how you or other team members can support young people that can be difficult to engage.
• Keep up to date with relevant laws and attend any training provided by NMT.
• Be prepared to work with supporting agencies to enable the progression of young people.
• Maintain your own diary of appointments with learners each week.
• Implement and monitor support plans for effective outcomes.
• Be able to keep accurate records and able to analyse problems.

You will have:

• Ability to build a rapport with young people from diverse backgrounds that can inspire and motivate.
• A teamworking and proactive attitude.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly.
• The desire to help learners to achieve their goals with empathy and understanding for young people in all circumstances.
• Professionalism always – when working with learners, parents, and external parties
• A good understanding of current social issues would be an advantage (e.g., County Lines and the impact of COVID on young people and their mental health).
• Either have an existing knowledge of learning styles and abilities or a willingness to learn
• A creative flare for tailoring engaging activities that support learners towards their individual goals would be an advantage.
• Enhanced DBS check required. We take Safeguarding seriously, therefore, you will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check at the enhanced level before working with us. Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk

About us
New Meaning Training (NMT) offers education with a difference. We are an alternative education provider dedicated to helping young people aged 15–25 discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, around 300 young people from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Berkshire will join one of our programmes. Many of these students are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings.
Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as “Toolshed.” Ten years on, NMT continues to grow, with new centres planned for Nuneaton and Milton Keynes in September 2025.
Creative Art & Design, Sports, Beauty, Work & Study, Computing, Childcare, Catering, Boost Workskills, and Achieve Lifeskills. Not all programmes are available at every location, but all incorporate functional skills qualifications in Maths and English, along with tutorials to support our well-rounded approach. We also provide a ‘Transition Support’ programme for young people with EHCPs who are not yet ready for a learning setting. 
NMT tailors its programmes to meet the needs of its learners, considering Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We comprehensively apply the principles of a Loving Care Approach (Trauma-Informed Practice) to ensure all young people receive the support they need to thrive.
To apply, visit: newmeaning.training/careers
Have questions? Email us at: training@newmeaning.training
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £33,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In perso

• Build a supportive and nurturing relationship with young people.
• Implement trauma informed practices.
• Run 1:1 mentoring sessions
• Directly support learners with complex SEMH needs
• Provide advice and support to the wider team
• Safeguarding responsibilities to DSL level 4
• Attend relevant meetings
• Manage Early Help Referrals
• Work collaboratively with the EHCP and Safeguarding manager
• Run or advise on 1:1 or small group interventions named on the EHCP.
• Deescalate situations as they arise.
• Support learners in developing emotional resilience, self regulation and confidence in learning.
• Assess learner’s SEMH needs in order that they receive the right level of support.
• Support learners with their social and emotional development
• Working in accordance with and full understanding of NMT’s safeguarding protocols and procedures
• Encourage and reinforce to the young people the links between regular attendance, participation, effort, and positive outcomes.
• Work as part of a team to generate creative ideas for how you or other team members can support young people that can be difficult to engage.
• Keep up to date with relevant laws and attend any training provided by NMT.
• Be prepared to work with supporting agencies to enable the progression of young people.
• Maintain your own diary of appointments with learners each week.
• Implement and monitor support plans for effective outcomes.
• Be able to keep accurate records and able to analyse problems