Behaviour Support Assistant

Do you have the patience, resilience and dedication needed to support young people facing significant barriers to education?

Teaching Personnel is seeking a caring and committed Teaching Assistant to join a progressive and supportive Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in South Manchester. This role offers a unique opportunity to have a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people who need a more tailored and compassionate educational experience.

About the Setting

The PRU supports pupils aged 5–16 who are currently unable to thrive within mainstream education. Many students present with SEMH needs, additional learning needs, or have experienced complex personal and educational challenges.

The provision delivers education within a safe, structured and trauma‑informed environment, helping pupils rebuild trust, regain confidence and develop essential life and learning skills.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will be central to supporting pupils’ academic progress, emotional development and positive behaviour. Working alongside teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals, you will help deliver individualised support plans that encourage engagement, emotional regulation and long‑term success.

This role is ideal for someone who is patient, consistent and calm, even in challenging situations, and who is genuinely motivated to support vulnerable young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 and small‑group support for pupils with SEMH and SEN needs
• Build positive, trusting relationships to improve engagement and attendance
• Support emotional regulation and use appropriate de‑escalation strategies
• Adapt learning activities to meet individual education and behaviour plans
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive behaviour choices
• Assist with behaviour management using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches
• Help maintain a safe, inclusive and structured learning environment
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams and external agencies
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to pupil support planning

The Ideal Candidate

Essential:

• Calm, confident and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour
• A genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and young people
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to maintain clear boundaries with a caring and consistent approach
• Commitment to a full‑time, long‑term position

Desirable:

• Team Teach trained or willing to train

• Previous experience in a PRU, SEMH provision, SEN school or youth work setting
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed practice or behaviour management strategies

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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