Zen Educate is supporting primary-aged children up to Year 7 who are currently outside of mainstream education. They are navigating Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, deep-rooted trauma, and severe anxiety.
Because of this, their survival mechanisms often manifest as highly challenging behaviour. Some days are calm and full of breakthroughs; other days are "full on" from the moment the bell rings. We do not look to "fix" them overnight, but to provide a safe, predictable anchor where they can learn to co-regulate.
The Role: What You’ll Actually Be Doing
This is not a traditional classroom role. While you will support literacy, numeracy, and life skills, your primary curriculum is relational safety.
- Be the Anchor: Provide an unwavering, calm presence when a child is in crisis. You will use de-escalation techniques to bring children down from high-anxiety states.
- Build Trusting Relationships: Learn each child’s unique triggers and early warning signs. You will adapt your approach minute-by-minute based on what they need.
- Support Nurture-Based Learning: Deliver highly personalized, small-group or 1-to-1 learning interventions, blending academic support with therapeutic, play-based strategies.
- Co-Regulate: Work alongside a passionate team to manage physical and verbal outbursts safely, ensuring the dignity and safety of the child and the classroom remain intact.
Who We Are Looking ForConsistency is everything to these children. If their history involves broken attachments or erratic routines, consistency is the antidote. For this reason, we are strictly seeking full-time professionals who want to become a predictable part of these children's daily lives.
The "Must-Haves"
- Experienced: You have a proven track record working with severe SEMH, trauma, or highly challenging behaviours (in schools, PRUs, youth work, or residential care).
- Unshakably Resilient: You possess thick skin and a soft heart. You understand that when a child lashes out, they are communicating unmet needs or fear—it is never personal.
- Trauma-Informed Mindset: You naturally look past the "disruptive behaviour" to see the anxious or traumatized child underneath.
- Team Player: You look out for your colleagues. When a teammate has a tough session, you step up to support them, and you aren't afraid to ask for help when you need a breather.
The "Highly Desirables"
- ELSA Trained: Experience or qualification as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to help pupils recognize, understand, and manage their emotions.
- Team Teach Certified: Hold a current, accredited Team Teach certificate (or equivalent positive handling/de-escalation training) with a strong emphasis on non-physical de-escalation.
Our Investment in You (Provision Training)
Don't have both of the desirable certificates yet? Don't let that hold you back. If you have the right attitude, resilience, and mindset, we will invest in you. We provide comprehensive, ongoing provision training tailored specifically to our setting, including advanced trauma-informed practices, bespoke de-escalation strategies, and mental health first aid.
Why This Role is Worth It
Let's be completely transparent: this job will drain your battery some days. But the rewards are unmatched. You aren't just helping kids pass tests; you are helping them rewrite their relationship with the world.
When a child who hasn't spoken to an adult in weeks finally smiles at you, or uses their words instead of flipping a desk because they trust you—there is no better feeling in education.
We offer a deeply supportive staff team that laughs together, debriefs together, and never leaves a colleague stranded.
INDAWTA
Pay: £93.00-£108.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Experience:
- Classroom management: 1 year (required)
- challenging behaviour: 1 year (required)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
