Secondary SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Secondary Teaching Assistant – Salford

Employer: Teaching Personnel
Location: Salford (Greater Manchester)
Contract: Full-time (term-time), ongoing with potential to become long-term
Start date: ASAP or January 2026
Pay: Competitive

About the Role

Teaching Personnel are seeking an experienced SEMH Secondary Teaching Assistant to join a SEMH secondary school in Salford. This is a hands-on role working closely with pupils who present social, emotional and mental health needs, including challenging behaviour, Autism, high anxiety, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence. You’ll provide targeted support in and out of the classroom to help students engage, progress, and feel safe.

Key Responsibilities

• Targeted SEMH support: Build positive, trust-based relationships with pupils; deliver structured interventions focused on anxiety management, confidence-building, and social skills.
• Behaviour regulation: Implement individual behaviour plans (IBPs) and de-escalation strategies; use restorative approaches and consistent boundaries to maintain a calm, safe learning environment.
• Autism support: Apply tailored strategies (e.g., structure, clear routines, visual supports, sensory considerations) to reduce overwhelm and improve access to learning.
• Classroom assistance: Support pupils during lessons, differentiating tasks, scaffolding learning, and pre/post-teaching to close gaps.
• 1:1 and small-group work: Plan and deliver short, evidence-informed sessions (e.g., emotional literacy, executive functioning, social communication).
• Attendance & engagement: Help pupils re-engage with learning through positive reinforcement, practical coaching, and collaborative goal-setting.
• Welfare & safeguarding: Maintain vigilant pastoral care; promptly record and escalate concerns in line with school safeguarding policies.
• Record keeping: Monitor and log progress, incidents, triggers, and successful strategies; contribute to termly reports and pupil profiles.
• Environment & routines: Support transitions, break/lunchtime routines, and calm spaces; contribute to trauma-informed, predictable classroom practices.

Essential Requirements

• Experience: Proven experience supporting secondary-age pupils with SEMH needs (including behaviour that challenges), Autism, anxiety, and confidence/self-esteem difficulties.
• DBS: Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one before starting).
• Training/skills: Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, and restorative approaches; confident in using structured routines and visual supports.
• Communication: Clear, calm communicator able to defuse tension and build rapport with diverse learners.
• Resilience & empathy: Patient, consistent, and reflective—able to maintain professionalism during high-pressure situations.
• Availability: Full-time, term-time

Desirable

• Experience with EHCPs, behaviour plans, and multi-agency working (CAMHS, Social Care, Educational Psychology).
• Relevant qualifications (e.g., Level 2/3 TA, Team Teach/PRICE or similar, ASD-specific training, Mental Health First Aid).
• Experience in mainstream or specialist SEMH settings.

Why Join Teaching Personnel?

• Ongoing CPD (SEMH, SEND, safeguarding, behaviour management).
• Dedicated consultant support and regular check-ins.
• Competitive daily rates.
• Access to a wide network of partner schools across Greater Manchester.

If this is the right opportunity for you then apply today by sending in your CV!

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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