Graduate Primary SEMH Teaching Assistant
Location: Rochdale
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Full-time, Long-term (Temp to Perm opportunities available)
Are you a recent graduate looking to gain hands-on experience working with children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?
Teaching Personnel are working in partnership with a welcoming primary SEMH provision to recruit a Graduate Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 5–11 who require additional emotional, behavioural and pastoral support. This role is ideal for graduates considering careers in education, psychology, counselling, mental health, social work or therapy.
You will be working alongside experienced teachers and support staff to help create a safe, structured and nurturing learning environment where pupils can re-engage with education and develop key life skills.
The Role Will Involve:
- Supporting pupils with SEMH needs on a 1:1 and small group basis
- Assisting pupils with emotional regulation, behaviour and engagement in learning
- Implementing behaviour support strategies and interventions under staff guidance
- Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced trauma or disrupted education
- Supporting pupils during lessons, transitions, break and lunchtime periods
- Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff to follow EHCPs and behaviour plans
- Promoting a calm, inclusive and safe classroom environment
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Is a recent graduate (any degree considered – psychology, criminology, sociology, education and youth-related degrees are particularly relevant)
- Is calm, patient, resilient and empathetic
- Has strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Is confident supporting challenging behaviour or willing to learn de-escalation strategies
- Has a genuine interest in supporting children with SEMH needs
- Is reliable, proactive and able to work as part of a team
Previous experience working with children or young people is desirable but not essential – full training and support will be provided.
Why Work with Teaching Personnel?
- Competitive daily pay rates
- Dedicated support from an experienced SEN consultant
- Free access to SEMH, behaviour management and safeguarding training
- Excellent experience for future careers in teaching, psychology or therapy
- Term-time working hours (Monday–Friday)
- Long-term placements with potential for permanent roles
Safeguarding & Requirements:
- Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas police checks may be required where applicable
If you are a motivated graduate looking to make a real difference while gaining valuable SEMH experience in a primary setting, we would love to hear from you.
When applying through Teaching Personnel, an enhanced DBS on the update service is a required document. If you do not have one already, you will be asked to apply for one through Teaching Personnel before you are able to start in a position.
Any applicants that have been out of the UK for more than 3 months over the past 5 years will be asked to provide an overseas criminal clearance check. If you do not already have one of these, please apply for this before applying to this role
All applicants must have a permanent residence and right to work in the UK. If you are currently based in another country, please do not apply for these roles as we will not be able to process your application.
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.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.
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