Mental Health Learning Support Assistant

You understand that behaviour is communication. That's exactly why we need you.

Teaching Personnel is recruiting Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) learning support assistants for specialist provisions in Horsham, with all roles commencing in September 2026. These are schools that work with some of the most complex and fascinating young people in education — pupils who have often had difficult experiences of school, of adults and of being understood — and they need support staff who meet that complexity with skill, warmth and an unshakeable belief that every young person can move forward.

This is not a role for someone looking for a quiet life. It is a role for someone who finds genuine purpose in the challenging moments, and who has the resilience, the empathy and the professional grounding to make a real difference.

What you'll be doing

• Building consistent, trusted relationships with pupils with SEMH needs that help them feel safe, regulated and ready to engage with learning.
• Supporting pupils in classroom and pastoral settings using restorative, trauma-informed and emotion-coaching approaches.
• Assisting with emotional regulation strategies and de-escalation, responding calmly and professionally in challenging situations.
• Working within a whole-school wellbeing framework alongside teachers, pastoral leads and external agencies.
• Helping pupils develop the emotional vocabulary, social skills and self-awareness they need to thrive inside and outside school.
• Maintaining accurate records and following safeguarding and confidentiality procedures throughout.

Who we're looking for

• Experience working with young people with SEMH, trauma, behavioural or emotional needs in a school, care or community setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches or therapeutic support is a significant advantage.
• Emotionally intelligent, self-regulated and able to hold firm boundaries with genuine warmth.
• Resilient, reflective and committed to your own professional development as well as your pupils' progress.
• Full-time availability from September 2026.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one.

What's in it for you

• From £92.63 per day, paid weekly via PAYE.
• Specialist SEMH training including trauma-informed practice and restorative approaches through Teaching Personnel's CPD programme.
• A dedicated consultant who understands the SEMH market in West Sussex and will find the right school for you.
• A permanent career pathway in one of the most in-demand and rewarding areas of education.

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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