Meet the tutors: What working at OCEM offers
Welcome to OCEM. It’s great to have you with us.
Interested in starting or furthering your career in SEMH education? You’re in the right place.
One in five pupils have SEND needs and require 1:1 support. However, teacher workloads are stretched to breaking point. With limited time and support, those children are at risk of falling behind.
OCEM tutors turn this around, helping everyone involved. SEMH care is a proactive investment in individual lives and for the community.
Children with SEMH needs deserve a chance. It’s our job to provide the chances.
What we do
We partner with local authorities to support children with neurodevelopmental, social and emotional needs. Our work eases the strain on mainstream schools, reduces permanent exclusions and builds stronger communities.
Emotional and mental needs are our priority; academic progress is a natural by-product. Our programmes are flexible and tailored. Some students require 1:1 tuition online or from home. Others need in-school support or Holiday Respite. Every plan looks different, because every child is different.
Through bespoke tuition, we restore children’s trust. The main driver of change.
We work with children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
This includes additional needs such as autism or ADHD, children who display challenging behaviour or find it hard to access mainstream education.
Ultimately, our role is to show up, stay consistent and fiercely advocate for the children. The statistics aren’t in their favour, but we’re here to change that.
What do our tutors say?
OCEM is still a young organisation, but we pride ourselves on the greatness we’ve already achieved. Let’s hear what our tutors have to say...
Euan
“I actually qualified as a barrister, but while I was studying part-time, I worked in special education. I loved it. I kept teaching alongside my law training, and the rewards (of teaching) were just so much greater. I knew I wouldn’t get that level of satisfaction in law, so I stayed.
The biggest challenge is building trust. A lot of our kids have seen people leave and had promises broken. You’ve got to be consistent. Show them you’re not going anywhere. That’s when you see the progress. It’s in the small things, like a child who’s been written off saying thank you for the first time. A Year 6 pupil who couldn’t read, reading for pleasure a year later. It goes beyond job satisfaction; it keeps my soul happy.”
Maryam
“Lots of people assume SEMH work is too hard, too violent, that the children won’t do any work. But once you’re here, you see it differently. They’re just children. A lot of them are actually more sensitive and vulnerable than their peers.
The behaviours you see are defence mechanisms. They’re saying, ‘you can’t hurt me.’ They need our consistency, patience and understanding.”
Malik
“I’ve been an OCEM tutor for just over a year now. I’ve never loved a job more. Yes, it definitely has its moments, but the feeling of picking up the phone to another tutor and saying, ‘I’ve just had a breakthrough with my pupil’...that’s unbeatable.
Watching a child smashing through targets and crushing the low expectations that have been placed on them… it’s powerful. You see them start to believe in themselves for the first time. The pride on their face. It’s the best feeling ever.
You’re watching the trajectory of their life change. It ignites something in you. They restore my faith in humanity.”
The benefits of being an OCEM tutor
OCEM is growing fast. We want you to grow with us. Joining us now means you’ll have more opportunities for progression as our provision expands across England.
Our work is only possible if our tutors feel supported too. You’ll have a direct manager to speak to, regular check-ins and access to coaching and our employee assistance programme (including mental health support). Tutors can pick up the phone to anyone in the team. We’re here for each other.
As your skills develop, you could move into management. Supporting teams and other tutors, managing local authority accounts and even leading provision across whole regions. If you’re passionate and committed, we’ll invest in your growth.
Community is what keeps us strong, and the support you’ll receive is just as important as the support you give.
Take the next step
Are you dedicated, experienced, passionate and resilient? Then you’re exactly who we need. Educators like you change the course of society. That’s something we need more of in the world.
Apply for a role, or simply reach out for a conversation. We’d love to hear from you!
Know someone in your network who would be interested? Share this article onwards.