Behaviour Lead

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, understood, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools supporting children and young people with SEND, SEMH and complex presentations. We recognise that behaviour is a form of communication and are committed to creating calm, consistent environments where pupils are supported to overcome barriers, develop positive behaviours for learning and engage successfully in education.

As our Education provision grows, we have two exciting opportunities for experienced, resilient and relational Behaviour Leads to join our schools in Manchester:

The Watkin Wythenshawe, Manchester (M23 9TT)
Working within our secondary provision for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.

Kershaw Wood Manchester Northenden, Manchester (M22 4NG)
Working within our primary provision for pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can combine direct work with pupils with whole-school leadership, coaching and data-informed improvement, helping colleagues understand the needs behind behaviour and ensuring pupils receive consistent, personalised and effective support.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead the development and implementation of your school’s behaviour and SEMH approach, helping ensure relational, trauma-informed and therapeutic practice is embedded consistently across the provision.

Working closely with the School Leadership Team, teachers, therapists and other professionals, you’ll oversee behaviour support plans, risk-reduction strategies and personalised interventions, ensuring they remain effective and responsive to pupils’ individual needs.

You’ll work directly with pupils with the most complex behavioural and SEMH needs, delivering targeted one-to-one and small-group interventions focused on emotional regulation, resilience, problem-solving and positive behaviour change.

You’ll provide specialist support when pupils become distressed or dysregulated, using effective de-escalation approaches to maintain safety and dignity, and lead positive reintegration following incidents.

A key part of the role will be developing the practice of colleagues across the school. You’ll coach, model and deliver training in areas including SEMH, behaviour management, trauma-informed practice, de-escalation and restorative approaches, helping create a consistently high standard of practice.

You’ll also analyse behaviour data to identify patterns, evaluate the impact of interventions and inform school improvement, while working closely with families and external professionals to provide coordinated support around each pupil.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone with significant experience supporting children or young people with complex SEMH needs or behaviours that challenge, alongside practical experience of delivering behaviour interventions and developing personalised support strategies.

You’ll have a strong understanding of trauma-informed, relational and positive behaviour approaches, with the confidence to provide leadership and guidance to others while remaining calm and emotionally regulated when situations become challenging.

You’ll be an effective communicator and coach, able to build strong relationships with pupils and colleagues while combining empathy and professional curiosity with clear boundaries and high expectations.

Most importantly, you’ll believe firmly in every pupil’s capacity to succeed and be committed to creating an environment where they can feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.

Why First Steps Together?

You’ll join a supportive and growing specialist education group where you’ll have the opportunity to influence behaviour and SEMH practice across your school and make a genuine impact on the experiences and outcomes of our pupils.

We provide comprehensive induction, ongoing training and professional development, alongside opportunities for career progression as First Steps Together continues to develop.

Whether you choose our primary provision at Kershaw Wood Manchester or our secondary provision at The Watkin, you’ll be joining a team committed to understanding the needs behind behaviour and helping every pupil overcome barriers, engage successfully in education and achieve positive outcomes.

Application

Please find the application form attached.

Completed application forms should be submitted by email to - recruitment@fstmanagement.uk