Sports Coach

Sports Coach – SEN & SEMH Support

Do you want a job, or do you want to change a life?

Are you someone who knows the best conversations don't always happen sitting behind a desk? Can you motivate a young person who has lost confidence in themselves? Do you know how to build trust, inspire confidence and engage someone when others have struggled?

If you've worked in sport, coaching, fitness, youth development or physical activity, you'll already understand that relationships come before results. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

We are recruiting Sports Coaches to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs on a 1:1 basis across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, including Beeston, Bulwell, Mansfield, East Leake, Arnold, Worksop, Hucknall, West Bridgford, Carlton, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and surrounding areas.

Many of the young people we support have become disengaged from education. Some have been out of school for months or even years, not because they cannot learn, but because traditional approaches have not worked for them.

We have found that people from sporting backgrounds often thrive in these roles. Great coaches understand that every young person is different. They know how to motivate, adapt their approach, build confidence, celebrate small successes and remain consistent even when progress takes time.

Many of our young people engage far more effectively through movement, sport, practical activities and positive relationships than they do in a traditional classroom environment. They do not need another person telling them what they cannot do. They need someone who can help them discover what they can achieve.

We have immediate starts available as well as September starts, with both part-time and full-time opportunities. Typical working hours are between 9:00am and 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.

This role is not about standing on the sidelines running sports sessions. It is about using the qualities that make great coaches successful every day. You'll use your ability to build trust, motivate reluctant learners, manage behaviour positively, develop confidence and help young people achieve things they never thought possible.

This is a genuinely child-centred role where relationships always come first. Rather than spending every day in a classroom, you'll work within the community, tailoring support around each young person's individual interests, needs and aspirations. You may spend time playing football while discussing future goals, delivering practical activities, supporting community-based learning, planning life skills sessions or taking part in fully risk-assessed educational visits. Every day is different because every young person is different.

Success in this role is not always measured by qualifications or academic results. Sometimes success is a young person leaving the house for the first time in weeks, joining an activity they previously refused, travelling without anxiety, managing their emotions more positively or simply smiling and engaging when they had previously withdrawn. These are the moments that make this role so rewarding.

As a Sports Coach supporting SEN and SEMH learners, you will provide consistent 1:1 support, help young people reconnect with learning through creative and practical approaches, encourage emotional wellbeing and resilience, act as a trusted adult and positive role model, and work closely with families and other professionals to provide joined-up support.

Transport forms an important part of the role. You will be responsible for collecting young people from home, supporting them throughout the day and returning them home safely. For many of the children we support, this consistency is where trust begins to rebuild.

To be successful, you will need a full UK driving licence, access to your own reliable vehicle and business insurance before starting. You should be confident working independently, have a positive and proactive attitude, and be able to build relationships with young people who may initially be reluctant to engage.

All new staff begin with a part-time timetable while we carefully match them with the right young people. Some learners access support for only a few hours each week, with additional hours building over time as further placements are allocated. Those seeking full-time work will usually support multiple young people once their timetable is fully established.

This opportunity would suit Sports Coaches, Football Coaches, PE Teachers, Sports Graduates, Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers, Youth Workers, Behaviour Mentors, Learning Mentors, Teaching Assistants, Outdoor Education staff, Activity Leaders, Residential Support Workers and anyone with experience supporting young people.

Experience working with SEN, SEMH, autism, ADHD, challenging behaviour, youth offending services, alternative provision or community-based programmes would be beneficial, although the most important qualities are patience, resilience, empathy and a genuine desire to make a difference.

We are looking for people who stay calm under pressure, build positive relationships, recognise that behaviour is communication and believe every young person deserves someone who will not give up on them.

These young people are not hard to reach. They have often experienced adults giving up on them. Great sports coaches understand that confidence comes before achievement. They know how to motivate, encourage, adapt and keep showing up.

If you believe in relationship-led support, understand the impact a positive role model can have and want a career where every day genuinely matters, this could be one of the most rewarding opportunities you'll ever have.

Essential Requirements: Full UK Driving Licence, access to your own vehicle and business insurance prior to starting.