New Meaning Training

SEMH Lead Practitioner

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Centre: NMT Bucks & Herts (Aylesbury)
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: BUCSEMLPAY082501

Are you an experienced SEMH practitioner looking for a role where you can make a lasting difference in young people’s lives? At New Meaning Training’s Enrichment Centre in Aylesbury, we are expanding our provision and seeking a compassionate, skilled professional to lead our work with learners who face complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges. 

 

Our new Aylesbury centre launches this September with a broader and more vibrant curriculum including Hair & Beauty, Childcare, Catering, Computing, Sports, and Boost Workskills. These courses provide diverse pathways for young people aged 15–25 to discover their strengths, gain confidence, and build meaningful futures. 

 

Many of our learners have disrupted educational histories and are supported through EHCPs. They need more than just lessons — they need empathy, structure, and consistent support. We are looking for a dedicated SEMH Lead Practitioner who can build positive relationships, implement trauma-informed strategies, and work collaboratively to help our learners overcome barriers to education. 

  • Work directly with young people who have SEMH needs, building nurturing, trusting relationships that foster engagement. 
  • Implement and model trauma-informed practices using our Loving Care Approach. 
  • Deliver targeted 1:1 or small group interventions named on EHCPs, and assess SEMH needs to inform ongoing support plans. 
  • Provide advice and coaching to tutors to help them adjust sessions and meet EHCP outcomes. 
  • Support learners in building emotional resilience, self-regulation, and social-emotional confidence. 
  • Apply effective de-escalation strategies and manage dysregulation calmly and consistently. 
  • Plan, maintain, and manage your own diary of learner interventions and mentoring sessions. 
  • Collaborate creatively with colleagues to develop strategies for learners who are harder to reach. 
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date learner records, case notes, and progress logs. 
  • Champion awareness of SEMH needs within the wider team and contribute to professional development discussions. 
  • Contribute to early help assessments, attend multi-agency meetings, and work closely with the EHCP and safeguarding team. 
  • Offer specific support for learners experiencing anxiety or communication challenges, using tailored social and emotional interventions. 
  • Be visible and accessible during key times such as learner arrival and departure to offer grounding and emotional consistency. 
  • Work within and uphold NMT’s safeguarding protocols at all times, maintaining a high standard of professionalism and confidentiality. 
  • Actively reinforce the link between attendance, participation, and progress to promote learner motivation. 

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 students are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings. 

 

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 

  • At least 3 years’ experience working with young people with complex SEMH needs. 
  • Case study examples demonstrating the successful use of relational approaches and de-escalation strategies. 
  • Certified training in trauma-informed practice and its application in education or youth settings. 
  • Proven experience in mentoring or coaching, ideally supported by a relevant qualification. 
  • Knowledge of anxiety, communication differences, and social skill development in young people. 
  • Confidence working with learners who have autism, ADHD, attachment disorders, or emotional regulation difficulties. 
  • The ability to connect with learners from diverse backgrounds in a way that motivates and inspires. 
  • Excellent time management, organisation, and teamwork skills. 
  • A proactive approach to your own development, with a commitment to CPD and coaching. 
  • A professional, empathetic, and inclusive approach to supporting young people and colleagues. 
  • Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required. NMT takes safeguarding seriously and follows all relevant protocols. Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk.