Behaviour Support Practitioner

Behaviour Support Practitioner role:

The Acorn Centre, South Oxhey

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to children’s lives and futures?

Do you have the empathy, resilience and personality to build meaningful relationships with children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

If so, we would love to hear from you.

The Acorn Centre is seeking an enthusiastic and committed Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) to join our dedicated team.

About The Acorn Centre:

The Acorn Centre is a specialist Behaviour Support Provision, based in South Oxhey, working in partnership with our local DSPL9 schools. We provide a nurturing, supportive environment for primary-aged children who are experiencing difficulties with SEMH and behaviour, helping them to develop the skills, confidence and positive experiences they need to succeed.

Our approach is rooted in relationships, understanding and inclusion. We look beyond behaviour to understand the needs and experiences that sit behind it, working collaboratively with children, families, schools and external agencies to create positive and sustainable change.

As a Behaviour Support Practitioner, you will play a key role in enabling children to make progress across all areas of their development and, importantly, helping them to recognise and achieve their potential.

About the role

This is a rewarding and varied role for someone who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children and who understands that behaviour is a form of communication.

You will work directly with children who are at risk of exclusion from mainstream primary education, providing individualised support. Part of the role also entails supporting schools to understand and respond effectively to their needs.

You will need to be emotionally resilient, patient, reflective and nurturing, with the ability to remain calm and attuned when children are experiencing significant emotional or behavioural difficulties.

You will also need to be confident in:

• Building trusting and positive relationships with children with SEMH needs.
• Understanding the underlying reasons for behaviour and identifying appropriate responses and strategies.
• Supporting children to develop emotional regulation, social skills, confidence and resilience.
• Working collaboratively with schools, families and external agencies.
• Developing and implementing practical strategies that enable children and schools to experience success.
• Maintaining a holistic, child-centred approach to supporting vulnerable children.
• Recognising and celebrating progress, however small, and helping children to develop a positive view of themselves and their future.

About you

Previous experience of working directly with children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties within a mainstream school environment is essential.

It is also essential that you have experience of working with, or alongside, external agencies to support children with additional and complex needs.

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, emotional intelligence and resilience to their work. You will need to be someone who can build strong professional relationships, think creatively about individual children's needs and remain positive and solution-focused when faced with challenging situations.

Above all, we are looking for someone who genuinely believes that every child can make progress when they are understood, supported and given the right opportunities.

Why join us?

This is an exciting time to join The Acorn Centre as part of the developing Behaviour Support Partnership across DSPL9.

As part of a Multi Academy Trust, you will become part of an enthusiastic and supportive professional community where everyone is valued. We place a strong emphasis on professional development and provide opportunities for staff to develop their knowledge, skills and expertise through high-quality CPD.

Our Together Strategy reflects our commitment to ensuring that all staff have the support they need to thrive in their roles.

The Acorn Centre is based in South Oxhey, with a range of local amenities including gyms and supermarkets, excellent transport links by train and free on-site parking.

Come and meet us

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to visit The Acorn Centre before applying. We would be delighted to welcome you, show you around our outstanding setting and give you the opportunity to meet the team and find out more about the role.

To arrange a visit, please contact Sarah Kenny at sarah.kenny@warrendell.agoralp.co.uk or call 020 8264 0480.

Please have a look through our wesbite to find our more - www.theacorncentre.co.uk

Further information about DSPL9 and the Behaviour Partnership can be found at www.dsplarea9.org.uk.

Key Information

Position: Behaviour Support Practitioner
Contract: Full-time, term-time
Location: The Acorn Centre, 39 Oxhey Drive, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD19 7SD

Please note: This position is based at The Acorn Centre and not at Warren Dell School.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children and help shape brighter futures, we would love to hear from you.