Do you have the resilience to support children who’ve faced emotional or behavioural challenges?

Can you build trust where others may have struggled?

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact every single day?

SEMH Teaching Assistant – 1:1 and Small Group Support

We are looking for a dedicated and emotionally intelligent SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive and inclusive school team, providing 1:1 and small group support to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

You’ll work closely with teachers, SENCOs, and external professionals to support pupils who may be struggling with trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, or challenging behaviours. Your role will involve building strong, trusting relationships with students, implementing behaviour strategies, and helping them to re-engage with their learning in a safe and supportive environment.

This is more than a teaching assistant role — it’s a chance to be a consistent, positive presence in a young person’s life. You’ll be helping them feel seen, heard, and valued, possibly for the first time in their school journey.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be calm, compassionate, and consistent under pressure
• Have experience supporting young people with SEMH, trauma-informed needs, or behavioural difficulties
• Understand the importance of emotional regulation and positive behaviour support strategies
• Be confident working 1:1 or with small groups to deliver interventions or reintegration support
• Have excellent communication and de-escalation skills
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting pupil wellbeing

Role Requirements:

• Full-time availability (term-time only), typically Mon–Fri during school hours
• Prior experience in a similar setting (school, youth work, care, PRU, or alternative provision) is highly desirable
• Knowledge of SEMH, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and trauma-informed approaches is beneficial
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willing to obtain one)

Why Apply:

• Competitive daily rates, paid weekly
• Access to high-quality CPD including behaviour management, de-escalation, and SEN training
• Ongoing support from a dedicated consultant who understands your needs and career goals
• Flexibility to explore different school settings (mainstream, PRUs, specialist provisions)
• Opportunities for long-term roles and temp-to-perm transitions