Behaviour Support Lead
| Posting date: | 06 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,000.00 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bristol |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 302576FAJ |
Summary
Work Smarter. Live Better. Join the 4-Day Working Week!
Job Title: Behaviour Support Lead
Location: Avonside School, Bristol BS4 5PS
Salary: £30,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay.*
Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!
About the Role
The Behaviour Support Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping a calm, consistent and compassionate school culture. This is a non-teaching leadership role designed for experienced professionals with strong expertise in behaviour, regulation, wellbeing and trauma-informed practice.
Working closely with senior leaders, safeguarding, SEND and clinical colleagues, you will lead and embed Avonside School’s relational, trauma-informed approach, ensuring behaviour is understood as communication and that both pupils and staff feel safe, supported and confident.
This role carries leadership influence across the school, without being part of SLT, and requires a visible, trusted presence.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and embed a consistent, trauma-informed and relational approach to behaviour, regulation and wellbeing across the school
Model and promote calm, predictable and boundaried responses to behaviour, supporting staff to understand behaviour as communication
Support and oversee regulation strategies, behaviour plans, incident response and post-incident reflection and repair
Coach and guide staff in effective behaviour, wellbeing and de-escalation practice, contributing to CPD and reflective conversations
Monitor behaviour, wellbeing, attendance and engagement to inform improvement and targeted support
Work collaboratively with families, external agencies and multi-disciplinary teams to promote safe, positive outcomes for pupils
About You
You will have:
GCSEs in Maths and English
Significant experience supporting children and young people with SEMH, trauma and neurodivergence, with a strong understanding of behaviour, regulation and wellbeing
Confidence in de-escalation, co-regulation and post-incident reflection, with a calm, reflective and emotionally intelligent approach
Strong communication, relationship-building and decision-making skills, and a clear commitment to trauma-informed, relational and inclusive practice
Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
Experience in specialist, alternative or SEND settings, including lead practitioner or middle leadership roles
Experience working alongside clinical or multi-agency teams and CPI training (or willingness to undertake accreditation)
About us
Avonside School is a brand-new specialist school in Bristol for young people with SEMH, autism, and associated needs. We provide a supportive environment prioritising wellbeing, personal growth, and academic progress.
Our curriculum offers hands-on vocational pathways in construction, hair and beauty, hospitality, art and IT, building practical skills and independence. We empower every pupil to gain confidence, resilience, and the skills needed for further education, employment, and adult life.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
#1
Job Title: Behaviour Support Lead
Location: Avonside School, Bristol BS4 5PS
Salary: £30,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay.*
Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!
About the Role
The Behaviour Support Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping a calm, consistent and compassionate school culture. This is a non-teaching leadership role designed for experienced professionals with strong expertise in behaviour, regulation, wellbeing and trauma-informed practice.
Working closely with senior leaders, safeguarding, SEND and clinical colleagues, you will lead and embed Avonside School’s relational, trauma-informed approach, ensuring behaviour is understood as communication and that both pupils and staff feel safe, supported and confident.
This role carries leadership influence across the school, without being part of SLT, and requires a visible, trusted presence.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and embed a consistent, trauma-informed and relational approach to behaviour, regulation and wellbeing across the school
Model and promote calm, predictable and boundaried responses to behaviour, supporting staff to understand behaviour as communication
Support and oversee regulation strategies, behaviour plans, incident response and post-incident reflection and repair
Coach and guide staff in effective behaviour, wellbeing and de-escalation practice, contributing to CPD and reflective conversations
Monitor behaviour, wellbeing, attendance and engagement to inform improvement and targeted support
Work collaboratively with families, external agencies and multi-disciplinary teams to promote safe, positive outcomes for pupils
About You
You will have:
GCSEs in Maths and English
Significant experience supporting children and young people with SEMH, trauma and neurodivergence, with a strong understanding of behaviour, regulation and wellbeing
Confidence in de-escalation, co-regulation and post-incident reflection, with a calm, reflective and emotionally intelligent approach
Strong communication, relationship-building and decision-making skills, and a clear commitment to trauma-informed, relational and inclusive practice
Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
Experience in specialist, alternative or SEND settings, including lead practitioner or middle leadership roles
Experience working alongside clinical or multi-agency teams and CPI training (or willingness to undertake accreditation)
About us
Avonside School is a brand-new specialist school in Bristol for young people with SEMH, autism, and associated needs. We provide a supportive environment prioritising wellbeing, personal growth, and academic progress.
Our curriculum offers hands-on vocational pathways in construction, hair and beauty, hospitality, art and IT, building practical skills and independence. We empower every pupil to gain confidence, resilience, and the skills needed for further education, employment, and adult life.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
#1