We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Careers Advisor to join our SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school team. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people by supporting them to identify their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for positive futures in education, employment, and training.
Working closely with students, staff, families, and external agencies, you will provide tailored careers guidance that recognises the individual barriers and challenges our learners may face.
Key Responsibilities
• Deliver high-quality, impartial careers information, advice, and guidance to students with SEMH needs.
• Support pupils in identifying career aspirations, pathways, and achievable goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleges, training providers, employers, and apprenticeship organisations.
• Organise work experience placements, employer encounters, careers events, and transition opportunities.
• Assist students with CV writing, applications, interview preparation, and employability skills.
• Work collaboratively with pastoral teams, SENCOs, therapists, and teaching staff to support individual outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to Gatsby Benchmark and careers programme development.
• Promote attendance, engagement, resilience, and independence among students.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
• Experience working with young people, particularly those with SEMH, SEND, or additional needs.
• A recognised careers guidance qualification (Level 4 or above desirable).
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Patience, empathy, resilience, and a flexible approach.
• Knowledge of post-16 pathways, apprenticeships, further education, and local labour markets.
• The ability to motivate and inspire students who may have had negative experiences in education.
At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. We are a split site school with two provisions to meet different needs, one at Trent Vale one at Blythe Bridge. We have an amazing staff team who work tirelessly to support approximately 140 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
As a specialist school our pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, a more practical curriculum, access to alternative accreditations and a highly trained staff team. Both sites have spacious grounds allowing us to provide outdoor education, with our Blythe Bridge site boasting specialist classrooms for Design and technology, Art and Design, Science, Food technology and PE.
At the heart of our school are a set of shared values where our entire school community are supported to develop a sense of Respect, Responsibility, Belonging, Independence, show a Team Approach and look after their own Mental Toughness.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power
to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in
the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly
meaningful.
Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.
We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary,
and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply
committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships,
talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff
to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value
every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and
inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where
shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every
academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital
role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build
brighter futures.
If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape
lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our
team.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe every child has the potential to be
extraordinary.
Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
From those with profound medical conditions and life-limiting illnesses, to individuals with severe, moderate, or sensory needs, and those experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges, our settings are designed to provide the care, understanding, and expertise each young person needs to thrive.
Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional, or part of our facilities, administration, or operations teams, you will find a welcoming, family-like environment where every role is valued.
At the heart of each school is a shared commitment to putting children, young people, and their families first.
Each pupil receives a personalised education and learns in small groups or classes, supported by dedicated staff who tailor their approach to meet individual needs.
Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future.
The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
- Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
- Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
- Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
- Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
- Participating in peer reviews.
- Access to a suite of online courses.
- Placement projects within our family of schools.
Actual Salary: £19,898- £20,866
Working hours: 32.5 per week, term time only plus 5 days INSET
Contract type: Fixed term 12 months
