Location: Durham
Salary: £538.55 - £575.00 per week, depending on experience
Contract: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm
Start Date: September 2026

Are you passionate about helping children overcome barriers to learning and reach their full potential?

Milk Education is working with a welcoming and inclusive primary school in Durham to recruit a dedicated Behaviour Buddy to provide 1:1 support to a pupil who requires additional guidance, consistency and encouragement to thrive within the school environment.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a genuine difference. You will play an important role in helping the pupil develop positive behaviours, build confidence, form meaningful friendships and gradually reintegrate into full-time classroom learning.

You will work closely with the class teacher, SEND team and wider school staff to provide consistent, nurturing support throughout the school day.

Behaviour Buddy – Responsibilities

As a Behaviour Buddy, you will:

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support throughout the school day.
• Build a trusting and positive relationship with the pupil.
• Encourage confidence, independence and emotional wellbeing.
• Support the development of social skills and positive friendships.
• Help the pupil make positive behavioural choices.
• Work alongside the class teacher to gradually increase engagement in classroom-based learning.
• Use positive behaviour strategies to support emotional regulation.
• Provide consistency and reassurance during challenging situations.
• Communicate effectively with teaching staff and the wider support team.

Behaviour Buddy – Criteria

We're looking for someone who is:

• Experienced working with children in an educational, care or youth setting.
• Confident supporting children with behavioural, social or emotional needs.
• Patient, resilient and able to remain calm and consistent in challenging situations.
• A strong communicator who can build positive relationships with children.
• Compassionate, encouraging and committed to supporting children's development.
• Local to Durham and able to commit to the full-time role – no relocation.

Previous experience supporting children with SEND, SEMH or behavioural needs would be highly beneficial.

Benefits to You

Milk Education is an eco-friendly, purpose-driven supply agency with a mission to be the MOST REWARDING agency to work both with and for.

• Excellent rates of pay.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• Free training and professional development opportunities.
• 24/7 access to your dedicated personal consultant.
• Referral programme.
• Ongoing support and guidance throughout your placement.
• Opportunities to progress into longer-term and permanent roles.

This role is paid within the advertised pay scale. Your starting rate will be determined by your qualifications, relevant experience, and the requirements of the assignment.

If you're passionate about supporting children and want to make a real difference from day one, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your education career with Milk Education.

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.

Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy, available on our website. Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

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