SEMH Teaching Assistant – Alternative Provision (Blackburn Area)
Location: Blackburn
Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-time / Term-time only
Start Date: ASAP / September start available
About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist alternative provision in the Blackburn area, supporting pupils aged 5–16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
This setting supports young people who may have struggled to succeed in mainstream education, offering highly personalised learning programmes and a nurturing environment to help them re-engage with education and achieve positive outcomes.
You will play a key role in supporting students both academically and emotionally, helping them build confidence, develop social skills, and make progress towards reintegration, further education, or employment pathways.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide 1:1 and small group support to pupils with SEMH needs
- Support behaviour management using a calm, consistent and trauma-informed approach
- Assist in delivering a bespoke curriculum tailored to individual learning needs
- Help students develop self-confidence, emotional regulation, and social skills
- Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to support engagement
- Work collaboratively with teaching staff, external agencies, and families
- Support students in both academic and vocational learning activities
About the Setting
- Specialist alternative provision for pupils who require additional support outside mainstream education
- Focus on small class sizes to enable personalised learning and strong staff-pupil relationships
- Emphasis on nurture, inclusion, and wellbeing, alongside academic progress
- Strong focus on helping pupils reintegrate into mainstream education or progress into training/employment
- A caring and supportive environment where positive relationships are central to success
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
- Experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or behavioural needs
- A patient, resilient, and empathetic approach
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond to challenging behaviour positively
- A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable learners
Desirable:
- Team Teach or other behaviour management training
- Experience in alternative provision, PRU, or SEN settings
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people
- Work within a supportive and nurturing team environment
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
- Be part of a provision that values personalised learning and holistic development
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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