Working In Behavioural Support with Cover People
Providing behavioural support in schools is an essential and highly rewarding role. At Cover People, we understand the importance of helping children who may face challenges in managing their behaviour. By offering tailored support, we enable students to overcome barriers and thrive in the classroom, while helping create a positive, productive, and inclusive learning environment for all.
Whether a student struggles with emotional regulation, attention difficulties, or behavioural issues stemming from external factors, behavioural support staff play a pivotal role in fostering an environment where all students can succeed. Working closely with teachers and other staff members, behavioural support staff provide one-on-one or small group interventions, helping children develop essential social, emotional, and behavioural skills.
Who Thrives in Behavioural Support Roles?
We look for individuals who bring the right blend of experience, mindset, and heart to make a lasting difference in a child’s life. Many of our most successful behavioural support staff come from backgrounds such as:
Sports Coaching
Your experience in motivating and mentoring young people through discipline, teamwork, and perseverance is highly valuable in managing behaviour and encouraging positive choices.Youth Work
A background in supporting young people through challenges, building trust, and promoting well-being provides a strong foundation for classroom behavioural support.Community Work
Your skills in outreach, advocacy, and working with diverse populations make you well-suited to understand the wider context of behavioural challenges and how to address them holistically.Residential Care Work
Supporting young people in care requires patience, empathy, and resilience—exactly the qualities needed to support students in an educational setting.
Qualities We Look For in Behavioural Support Staff:
We seek individuals who possess not only the right skills but also the right mindset to make a real difference in the lives of children facing behavioural challenges. Key qualities we look for include:
Experience in Behavioural Support:
Experience in working with children who exhibit challenging behaviours is highly valued. This experience helps staff understand the underlying causes of such behaviours and how best to approach them in a constructive way. You should be familiar with common strategies for behaviour management and feel confident implementing these techniques in the classroom.
Patience and Empathy:
Working with children who struggle with behavioural challenges requires patience and a calm, understanding approach. Empathy is crucial, as it allows staff to connect with students on a deeper level, recognising their individual struggles and providing the support they need to succeed.
Resilience and Adaptability:
Behavioural support can be a demanding role, and you’ll need to show resilience in the face of setbacks. It's important to remain adaptable as every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The ability to try new approaches and stay positive in difficult situations is key.
Excellent Communication Skills:
Working as part of a team, you will need to communicate clearly and effectively with teachers, parents, and other staff members. It’s essential to share progress, discuss strategies, and keep everyone involved in the child’s development. Additionally, working with children with behavioural challenges often requires excellent communication skills to de-escalate situations and provide positive reinforcement.
Ability to Stay Calm Under Pressure:
Behavioural support staff often work in high-pressure situations where immediate action is needed to de-escalate conflicts. Remaining calm, collected, and focused in these moments is crucial to managing the situation effectively and ensuring the safety and well-being of the students involved.
At Cover People, we recognise the importance of investing in our behavioural support staff through training and development opportunities. We want to ensure that you are equipped with the latest strategies and techniques to provide the best support for students in need.
If you have the skills and passion for making a difference in the lives of students facing behavioural challenges, we would love to hear from you. Join Cover People and help provide essential support to children, enabling them to thrive and succeed both academically and socially.