Social, Emotional and Mental Health

**Salary**:
FTE £27,397 - £30,052 (Actual salary: £21,917 - £24,041)

**Job type**:
Part Time, Permanent

5 March 2025

**Job overview**:
**Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Lead**:
**Location**: St Christopher School, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire

**Contract**: 37 hours per week, Term Time (36 weeks per annum)

**Salary**: FTE £27,397 - £30,052 (Actual salary: £21,917 - £24,041)

**Support Student Wellbeing and Mental Health**

Are you passionate about **mental health and wellbeing in education**? St Christopher School is seeking a **Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Lead** to play a key role in our **specialist resource provision, Arunfield**.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in **SEMH support, pastoral care, and student wellbeing strategies**. You will work closely with the **Inclusion Strategy Lead** and lead the **Wellbeing Team**, embedding a strong **culture of mental health awareness and resilience** across the school.

**About the Role**:
As our SEMH Lead, you will:

- Oversee the development of a **high-quality SEMH provision**, ensuring best practices in line with **government guidance**.
- Implement **early intervention and prevention strategies** to support students' mental health and emotional resilience.
- Identify students **at risk of SEMH challenges**, working closely with the **safeguarding team** and external services to provide appropriate support.
- Line manage **two SEMH Learning Support Assistants (LSAs)** in the **Senior and Junior Schools**, ensuring effective wellbeing programmes.
- Develop and **deliver targeted interventions** for students, both **one-to-one and in small groups**, to help them engage with learning.
- Support **parents and carers**, offering guidance on mental health challenges and **building resilience at home**.
- Work closely with **teachers, pastoral staff, and external agencies** to ensure a **holistic approach** to student wellbeing.
- Embed mental health and wellbeing **into the school’s policies, curriculum, and student support services**.
- Provide training for staff to increase awareness and understanding of **SEMH needs, neurodiversity, and effective support strategies**.
- Promote **positive self-esteem and independence**, helping students develop skills for long-term emotional resilience.
- Evaluate and monitor **the impact of interventions**, ensuring continuous improvement in SEMH provision.

**About You**:
We are looking for someone who:

- Holds **GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) in English and Maths** (or equivalent).
- Has **experience working with young people with SEMH challenges and/or challenging behaviour**.
- Holds a **Mental Health First Aid Certificate** or other relevant **SEMH or SEND qualifications** (desirable).
- Has experience in **pastoral support, behaviour intervention, or wellbeing programmes** within a school setting.
- Is confident in **line managing a team**, providing guidance and support for staff working in SEMH roles.
- Has **strong interpersonal skills**, building positive relationships with students, staff, and external professionals.
- Is passionate about **mental health advocacy**, with the ability to **develop policies and strategies** for whole-school wellbeing.
- Is proactive, **calm under pressure**, and has excellent **problem-solving skills**.

**Why Join St Chris?**:

- ** A supportive and inclusive school community**, dedicated to student wellbeing.
- ** Competitive benefits**, including free vegetarian lunches, a pension scheme (8% employer contribution), and access to a health plan.
- ** On-site facilities**, including a gym and swimming pool.
- ** A progressive educational ethos**, where student wellbeing is a **core focus**.

**How to Apply**:
**Application Deadline**: 12:00pm, Wednesday 5 March 2025

**Interview Date**: Monday 17 March 2025

For an informal conversation about the role, contact **Alistair Phillips, Assistant Head Pastoral and DSL** at **01462 650850**.

**Safeguarding Commitment**:
**We Welcome Diversity**:
**Join us and help create a school culture where every student feels supported, valued, and able to thrive.**

**About**St Christopher School**:
**St Christopher School**
- Barrington Road, Letchworth
- Hertfordshire
- SG6 3JZ
- United Kingdom

+44 1462 650850

Hello, and welcome to St Chris

St Chris was founded in 1915 to transform the way children experience school. Since then, we've redefined the way children learn, grow, and thrive in a world that's ever-changing. The flame of our progressive heritage still burns brightly in our outstanding modern school and, when you visit, you'll find that St Chris is still something unmistakably different from the moment you arrive.

**The Power of an Informal Approach**

Our commitment to human connections and an informal approach sets us apart: our unshakable emphasis on knowing and believing in each child for who they are. We believe that humanity, understanding, kindness and 'progress' must be the pill