What is the difference between a keyworker and a behavioural-support worker?

A keyworker is a consistent 1:1 adult for a young person across the day, focused on engagement and relationships. A behavioural-support worker focuses on helping young people manage difficult moments, de-escalate and return to learning. Many placements combine both.

Do your staff follow our school policies?

Yes. Staff we place work under the direction of your setting and follow your behaviour, safeguarding and SEN policies, reporting to the lead you nominate.

Can staff be arranged for a single young person?

Yes. Many education assignments are built around one young person, though we can also source staff for small groups and classes.

How long can a placement last?

Placements are flexible and can run from a few weeks to a full academic year, with regular reviews to check the support is still right.

How are placements charged?

Placements are arranged on a flexible day-rate basis. Get in touch and we'll discuss your requirements and confirm rates.

What does trauma-informed support mean in practice?

It means understanding that behaviour may be shaped by past experiences, prioritising safety and trust, and responding with calm, consistent support rather than escalation.

How is progress reviewed?

We agree goals with you at the start and review progress regularly, adjusting the support as the young person's needs change.

Education recruitment

Schools & Education Recruitment.

We help schools, local authorities and Alternative Provision recruit suitable supply teachers, teaching assistants, SEN support staff, keyworkers and behavioural-support workers, so young people can stay engaged in learning and make steady progress.

Request Staff Register for Work

An education professional helping a pupil with schoolwork in a classroom

What the support involves

Some young people need more than a classroom can offer on its own. They may be struggling with attendance, finding it hard to regulate in lessons, or moving between settings after a difficult period. We take time to understand each setting's requirements and source suitable staff who can provide consistent, skilled support, so learning can carry on and relationships can rebuild.

Staff we place work under the direction of the setting, follow its behaviour, safeguarding and SEN policies and keep staff informed. Assignments can be arranged for short-term cover or longer-term placements, and are confirmed only once the worker has been cleared and is available.

1:1 and small-group support in lessons and unstructured times
Help with transitions, reintegration and reduced timetables
Relationship-led de-escalation and regulation support
Clear daily handovers and notes for pastoral and SEN teams
Short-term cover or longer-term placements, reviewed regularly

Who it's for

We work with mainstream schools, special schools, Alternative Provision and local authority teams who need dependable staff for individual young people, small groups or whole classes.

Primary, secondary and special schools
SENCOs and pastoral leads supporting young people with SEMH needs
Alternative Provision settings needing consistent, experienced staff
Local authority inclusion, virtual school and SEND teams
Schools working to reduce exclusions and improve attendance
Pupils at risk of exclusion, with low attendance, or moving into or out of AP

Roles we recruit

Schools & Education staffing roles

Supply teachers

Qualified teachers for day-to-day, short-term and longer-term cover across primary, secondary and specialist settings.

Teaching assistants (TAs)

Teaching assistants who support class teachers, small groups and individual pupils to stay on track with learning.

SEN teaching assistants and support staff

Staff experienced in supporting pupils with special educational needs, working alongside EHC plan outcomes and your SENCO.

Classroom support workers

Dependable classroom support to help lessons run smoothly and give pupils the attention they need.

Keyworkers

A keyworker is a consistent adult who works 1:1 with a young person throughout the school day. They get to know the young person well, notice early signs that things are becoming difficult and help them stay in learning. For many young people, that steady relationship is what makes school feel possible again.

1:1 support in lessons, at break and during transitions
Help with attendance, punctuality and reintegration plans
Check-ins and regulation strategies agreed with the setting
Liaison with SENCOs, pastoral leads and AP providers
Flexible day-rate placements, from short-term to long-term

Behavioural-support workers

Behaviour is often a way of communicating something a young person can't yet put into words. Behavioural-support workers take a trauma-informed, relationship-led approach: they look for what sits behind the behaviour, build trust and help the young person find calmer ways to respond, using de-escalation, clear routines and consistent boundaries agreed with the setting.

Trauma-informed, relationship-led practice
De-escalation and regulation support in difficult moments
Consistent staff to build trust and predictability
Support aligned with EHC plan outcomes
Clear incident notes and regular reviews with the setting

Mentors and other education support roles

Learning mentors and other education support staff who build confidence, motivation and routine, in school or alongside education.

How it works

1
Get in touch
Tell us about the young person, setting and support needed.
2
Sourcing & checks
We source suitable candidates and carry out the appropriate checks.
3
Placement
The assignment is confirmed once the worker is cleared and available.
4
Review
We review progress regularly and adapt support as needs change.

Safeguarding comes first

We follow safer recruitment practices, carrying out enhanced DBS checks, verified references and right-to-work checks, and confirm an assignment only once the worker is cleared and available.

Read about our safeguarding checks