Key Worker – 1:1 SEMH Pupil Support
Moss View School, Skelmersdale (WN8 9TL)
Full-time | Term-time only (39 weeks), paid over 12 months
Salary: £18,500 – £25,000 per annum (actual salary)
Start Date: ASAP (September/October 2026)
The Role
Moss View School is a small, nurturing specialist primary school supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and SEND needs.
We are looking for an experienced, resilient and compassionate Key Worker to join our team. This role will primarily involve providing dedicated 1:1 support to an identified pupil with SEMH needs, within a small class of up to 8 pupils.
You will work alongside the class teacher and other Key Workers as part of the wider class team, with your primary responsibility being to provide the identified pupil with the individual support they require to access learning, regulate their emotions and behaviour, develop positive relationships and participate successfully in school life.
This is not a general classroom support role. Applicants must have previous experience and a good understanding of working with children with SEMH needs and must be confident supporting children whose emotional dysregulation can result in behaviour that may be challenging.
You will need to be able to remain calm, consistent and professional during difficult situations, recognise triggers and early signs of dysregulation, use appropriate de-escalation and co-regulation strategies, and maintain clear and consistent boundaries.
The overall aim of the role is to provide the pupil with the consistent individual support they require while actively developing their emotional regulation, engagement, resilience and independence.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide consistent 1:1 support for an identified pupil with SEMH needs throughout the school day.
- Work within a small class of up to 8 pupils, alongside the class teacher and wider class team.
- Build a positive, trusting and professional relationship with the identified pupil.
- Develop a strong understanding of the pupil's individual needs, triggers, behaviours and regulation strategies.
- Recognise early signs of anxiety, distress or dysregulation and respond proactively.
- Confidently support challenging, distressed or dysregulated behaviour using calm, consistent and appropriate approaches.
- Use de-escalation, co-regulation and positive behaviour-support strategies.
- Follow the pupil's EHCP, individual support plans, behaviour strategies and risk assessments.
- Support the pupil to access lessons, interventions and activities alongside their peers.
- Adapt support in response to the pupil's presentation, emotional regulation and individual needs.
- Support transitions and situations that the pupil may find difficult or overwhelming.
- Maintain clear, predictable and consistent expectations and boundaries.
- Promote positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Encourage independence and avoid creating unnecessary reliance on 1:1 adult support.
- Accurately record and communicate relevant information regarding behaviour, regulation, engagement and progress.
- Contribute appropriately to the support of the wider class when the identified pupil's needs allow.
- Work collaboratively with teaching staff, the SENCo, senior leaders and other professionals involved with the pupil.
- Actively support and participate in PE lessons, swimming sessions, outdoor learning and other physical activities alongside the pupil.
- Enter the swimming pool where required to provide appropriate support during school swimming sessions.
- Support the pupil's regulation, behaviour, engagement and safety during PE, swimming and other physical activities.
- Participate fully in relevant training, including SEMH, safeguarding, behaviour support and positive handling.
- Contribute positively to the wider life of Moss View School and model our PRIDE values: Perseverance, Resilience, Independence, Determination and Excellence.
About You – Essential
We are looking for someone who:
- Has previous experience of working with children or young people with SEMH needs.
- Has experience of supporting children who may present with challenging, distressed or dysregulated behaviour.
- Has a good understanding of how SEMH needs can affect behaviour, communication, relationships and engagement with education.
- Understands that behaviour can be a form of communication and can respond appropriately to the underlying need.
- Is confident managing difficult situations without becoming confrontational or escalating the situation.
- Can remain calm, patient and emotionally regulated when a child is distressed or displaying challenging behaviour.
- Understands and can use de-escalation, co-regulation and positive approaches to behaviour support.
- Can establish warm and trusting relationships while maintaining clear and consistent professional boundaries.
- Is resilient and able to respond professionally before, during and following challenging incidents.
- Can provide individualised 1:1 support while working effectively as part of a wider classroom team.
- Can follow individual support plans, behaviour strategies and risk assessments consistently.
- Has strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children.
- Is willing to undertake all required training and continued professional development.
- Is willing and able to actively participate in PE, swimming and other physical activities, including entering the swimming pool when required.
Previous experience within a specialist school, SEMH provision, alternative provision or similar SEND environment would be particularly welcomed.
Why Join Moss View?
- Small classes of up to 8 pupils, allowing staff to build strong and meaningful relationships.
- The opportunity to make a significant difference to an individual child's experience of education.
- A small, supportive and collaborative specialist school team.
- Ongoing SEMH, SEND and behaviour-support training and professional development.
- Term-time working with salary paid across 12 months.
- A nurturing school committed to helping children feel safe, develop independence and reconnect positively with education.
Important Information for Applicants
This is an active and potentially demanding role supporting a pupil with SEMH needs throughout their school day. Applicants should be comfortable working in situations where behaviour may at times be challenging and should have the resilience, confidence and emotional regulation required to provide consistent support.
The role also involves active participation in the wider school curriculum, including PE, swimming, outdoor learning and other physical activities. Applicants must therefore be willing to participate fully in these aspects of the role, including entering the swimming pool to support the pupil where required.
Safeguarding
Moss View School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and other required pre-employment checks.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
Find out more about us at: www.rethinkeducation.org.uk
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £18,500.00-£25,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
