About Us
Reporting to: Senior Leadership Team / SENCo / Lead Nurture Practitioner
Purpose of the Role: To work as part of a professional team to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs within the school’s nurture provision.
The role involves providing targeted small group and 1:1 support for pupils who require additional help to overcome barriers to learning, particularly those linked to emotional regulation, relationships and behaviour. The post holder will support pupils within the school’s graduated nurture provision, including The Nest and The Grove, helping pupils to become ready to learn and be the best they can be.
Responsibilities
Supporting Nurture Provision
- Support the delivery of structured nurture sessions within The Nest, The Grove and wider provision
- Help create a safe, consistent and nurturing environment for pupils
- Build warm, positive relationships through predictable and consistent interactions
- Support pupils to develop emotional regulation, communication and social skills
Supporting Teaching and Learning
- Provide support for individual pupils (1:1) and small groups under the direction of the teacher or Lead Nurture Practitioner
- Adapt activities to meet pupils’ emotional and developmental needs
- Support pupils’ engagement, participation and readiness for learning
- Deliver targeted support within nurture sessions and, where appropriate, in the classroom
Behaviour and Emotional Support
- Provide 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEMH needs
- Understand and respond to behaviour as communication
- Use co-regulation and de-escalation strategies to support pupils during dysregulation
- Support pupils to develop strategies for managing their emotions and behaviour
Assessment and Monitoring
- Observe, monitor and record pupils’ progress and emotional development
- Provide feedback to the teacher, SENCo or Lead Nurture Practitioner
- Contribute to individual support plans (e.g. PLPs, PSPs personalised plans) and reviews
Additional Responsibilities
- Support pupils with personal care where required, promoting independence
- Supervise pupils throughout the school day, including unstructured times
- Support pupils working outside of the normal timetable
- Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers and external professionals
- Prepare and maintain resources for nurture provision
- Escort and support pupils on educational visits where required
Job Details
Salary: £18,345.68
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Term Time Only
Location: Chichester
Interviews: Friday 3rd July 2026
What You Need to Succeed
Do you believe that strong relationships and understanding behaviour can transform a child’s future?
Parklands Community Primary School is seeking to appoint a caring, committed and reflective Nurture Practitioner (SEN Learning Support Assistant) to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and making a real difference through nurturing, relational practice.
Working as part of our inclusion team, the successful candidate will support the school’s graduated nurture provision, including The Nest (our morning provision) and The Grove (our full-time provision), delivering targeted small groups and 1:1 support to pupils who need additional help to become ready to learn.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working with children or young people, particularly those with SEMH needs
- Has a strong understanding of behaviour as communication and recognises the importance of a therapeutic approach in supporting children to succeed
- Is able to provide effective 1:1 and small group support
- Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils, staff and families
- Is calm, patient and resilient, especially when supporting pupils in distress
- Is reflective and willing to learn and develop their practice
- Works well as part of a team and contributes positively to the school community
- Is committed to the inclusive ethos of Parklands
We can offer:
- A warm, welcoming and supportive school community
- A strong commitment to inclusion and nurturing practice
- A graduated nurture provision (The Nest, The Grove and Blossom Group)
- A forward-thinking leadership team with a clear vision
- Ongoing professional development, including opportunities for Nurture UK training
- The chance to make a genuine difference to pupils’ lives every day
We strongly encourage visits from prospective candidates. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office via email at [email protected] or call 01243 788630.
Further Information
Parklands C P School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
How to Apply
To apply for this role please download the job description and application form below.
Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).
Once complete please return this to [email protected]
Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 01243 788630.
NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.
The reference number for this role is SCHO02500.
Job Reference: SCHO02500
