Mental Health Teaching Assistant

Some young people need more than academic support. They need someone who understands them, believes in them and never gives up on them.

Teaching Personnel is seeking resilient, empathetic and dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistants to support pupils in specialist schools across West Sussex and North Sussex.

These settings support children and young people who may experience social, emotional and mental health challenges that make accessing mainstream education difficult.

For the right person, this is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to build meaningful relationships, support positive behavioural development and help pupils re-engage with education.

The role:

• Supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

• Building positive, trusting relationships through consistency and encouragement.

• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies.

• Helping young people develop confidence, resilience and social skills.

• Working closely with teachers, pastoral teams and other professionals.

• Encouraging pupils to engage with learning and achieve their individual goals.

• Maintaining clear boundaries while providing a nurturing and supportive environment.

Who would be suitable?

We'd particularly love to hear from individuals with backgrounds in:

• Youth work and mentoring.

• Mental health support.

• Residential care.

• Sports coaching.

• Behaviour support.

• Social care.

• Teaching assistance or education.

Previous SEMH experience is beneficial, but we also welcome applications from people with transferable experience and the right attitude.

What makes this opportunity different?

You'll be working in an environment where relationship-building is at the heart of everything. Progress might look different for every pupil, but helping a young person return to a classroom, manage a difficult situation or begin believing in themselves again is an achievement worth celebrating.

Teaching Personnel can help you access opportunities, training and ongoing support to develop your career in specialist education.

If you have the patience to understand behaviour and the passion to see beyond it, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today.

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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