Residential Support Worker & Mental Health Support

re you currently working in children's residential care or youth mental health and looking to swap unsociable shift patterns for term-time school hours?

We are seeking a resilient, compassionate, and grounded Mental Health & Behaviour Support Mentor with a background in Children's Residential Care, CAMHS, or Youth Mental Health to join a forward-thinking secondary school in Blackpool.

This role is designed specifically for professionals who already understand complex trauma, attachment disorders, and emotional dysregulation. You will bring your de-escalation skills and therapeutic mindset into a mainstream and pastoral secondary school environment-acting as a vital bridge between emotional wellbeing and educational engagement.

Best of all, you get to keep making the deep, positive impact you love while working Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, with all school holidays off.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

Provide dedicated 1:1 and small-group pastoral support to secondary students (ages 11-16) facing mental health challenges, chronic anxiety, school refusal, or complex trauma.

Support pupils in times of crisis, providing safe spaces and using therapeutic de-escalation and emotion coaching to help them regulate and return to learning.

Deliver targeted mental health and wellbeing interventions focused on emotional resilience, healthy coping strategies, and self-esteem.

Support students in the classroom to maintain focus and engagement, advocating for their emotional needs with class teachers.

Collaborate closely with the school's Safeguarding Lead, SENCO, Heads of Year, and external agencies (such as CASHER, CAMHS, and Social Services).

Keep clear, accurate pastoral and safeguarding records following school child protection policies.

Who We Are Looking For

Background: Proven experience as a Residential Support Worker (Children's Homes / Semi-Independent Living), Youth Mental Health Practitioner, CAMHS Support Worker, or Therapeutic Care Worker.

Understanding of Needs: Solid, practical understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, and SEMH.

De-escalation Skills: Calm under high-stress situations; trained in positive handling or de-escalation (e.g., Team Teach, PRICE, MAPA, or Restorative Practice) is highly desirable.

Mindset: Non-judgmental, authentic, highly empathetic, and resilient-someone who naturally builds trust with vulnerable, hard-to-reach teenagers.

Safeguarding: An Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to complete one immediately) and fully checkable reference history.

Location: Based in or easily commutable across Blackpool, Fylde, or Wyre (FY1-FY5).

Why Transition to Education?

Say Goodbye to Shift Work: Standard school hours only-no night shifts, sleep-ins, 12-hour rotations, or working over Christmas and bank holidays.

13 Weeks Holiday: Enjoy every school holiday off, allowing genuine work-life balance and time to recharge.

Long-Term Consistency: A permanent routine working with the same cohort of young people across the academic year.

Weekly PAYE Pay: Reliable, transparent daily rates paid directly every Friday with no umbrella fees.

How to Apply

If you are ready to apply your residential or youth mental health experience in a supportive secondary school environment in Blackpool, we want to hear from you.

Click 'Apply Now' with your CV, or contact our team directly to arrange a school tour and immediate trial day.

Residential Support Worker, Children's Residential, CAMHS, Mental Health Support, Youth Worker, Trauma-Informed, Secondary School, High School, Blackpool, FY1, FY2, FY3, FY4, Fylde Coast, Term-Time Only, PAYE