New Meaning Training

SEMH Lead Practitioner

Sorry, this vacancy has passed the closing date but please check out our other jobs.

Centre: NMT Bucks & Herts (High Wycombe)
Employer: New Meaning Training
Salary: From £30,000 FTE
Type: Permanent, Full Time, All-Year-Round
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Schedule: Monday to Friday 08:00–16:00
Closing Date: 25/08/2025 12:00 pm
Job Reference: BUCKSEMHLP082501

Are you an experienced and confident practitioner with a strong track record of supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? Would you like to be part of a dynamic, values-led team that’s committed to helping learners with disrupted education take back control of their future? 

New Meaning Training (NMT) is seeking a SEMH Lead Practitioner to join our team in High Wycombe, where New Meaning first began 10 years ago. With major expansion planned for this centre in 2026, this is an exciting opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment in our journey. 

We are looking for a passionate individual with significant experience of supporting young people with SEMH and SEND needs, particularly those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). You’ll play a key role in helping learners regulate their emotions, improve their wellbeing, and engage positively with education and training. The right candidate will demonstrate exceptional relational skills and a calm, trauma-informed approach to managing behaviour. 

This is a high-impact role ideal for someone who can lead, mentor and guide both learners and colleagues while championing best practice across our provision. 

  • Deliver 1:1 and small group SEMH support, including interventions outlined in EHCPs 
  • Lead on trauma-informed practice across the High Wycombe centre 
  • Build strong, trusting relationships with young people through a relational, empathetic approach 
  • Provide expert advice and coaching to colleagues supporting SEMH learners 
  • Manage a personal caseload of learners with complex needs 
  • Assess learners’ emotional needs and tailor support plans accordingly 
  • Run regular mentoring sessions focused on resilience, regulation and personal development 
  • Monitor and review support plans for effective outcomes 
  • Attend safeguarding and EHCP review meetings, contributing insight and strategies 
  • Manage Early Help referrals and liaise with external agencies when needed 
  • Maintain accurate, confidential records and ensure data is analysed for progress tracking 
  • Support learners to develop emotional literacy, confidence and strategies for independent living 
  • Champion attendance and participation, reinforcing the link between engagement and positive outcomes 
  • Use evidence-based approaches to support learners with social anxiety and communication difficulties. 
  • Work proactively with the wider team to devise innovative, learner-centred support strategies 
  • Uphold and model New Meaning Training’s safeguarding policies and trauma-informed values 
  • Commit to ongoing professional development and stay current with legal and educational guidance 
  • Be visible and available during key transition times such as learner arrival and departure to offer consistent emotional support. 

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 learners 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. 

We have a range of programmes at New Meaning Training Bucks & Herts: Construction Multiskills, Motor Mechanics, Sports, Hair & Beauty, Computing, Childcare, Catering and Boost Workskills. 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: bucksandherts@newmeaning.training 

  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience working with young people with complex SEMH needs 
  • Case study evidence of successfully implementing de-escalation and relational support strategies 
  • A certified trauma-informed practice qualification and practical experience applying it 
  • A strong background in mentoring or coaching, ideally with a recognised qualification 
  • Deep knowledge of speech, language and communication needs 
  • A proven ability to manage behaviour calmly and constructively, even in crisis 
  • The emotional resilience and empathy to support learners through challenging moments 
  • Excellent communication, collaboration and organisational skills 
  • A strong team ethos with the ability to advise, support and inspire colleagues 
  • Confidence in safeguarding responsibilities (ideally trained to DSL Level 4 or willing to work towards it) 
  • A professional, proactive approach to external agency engagement and family liaison 
  • Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to undergo one) – safeguarding is paramount at NMT