SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant – Durham Secondary School September 2026 | Competitive Daily Rates | Long-Term Temporary

Working with students whose social, emotional, and mental health needs affect their ability to engage with school is one of the most demanding — and most rewarding — things you can do in education. Teaching Personnel is looking for a Teaching Assistant with specific SEMH experience for a long-term temporary position at a secondary school in Durham, starting September 2026.

This isn't a general classroom support role. The school needs someone who understands how SEMH presents in young people, who can build trusted relationships with students who may have had difficult experiences of education, and who knows how to support and de-escalate without making things worse. You'll be working as part of a wider pastoral and inclusion team, but your impact will be felt most in the individual relationships you build over time.

What this role involves:

• Providing targeted support to students with identified SEMH needs across KS3 and KS4
• Building consistent, trusted relationships with students who find school challenging
• Working within individual support plans and contributing to their review
• De-escalating difficult situations calmly and with confidence
• Liaising with teachers, the SENCO, and pastoral staff to ensure a joined-up approach
• Supporting students in and out of the classroom depending on their needs on any given day

The right candidate will have:

• Demonstrable experience supporting young people with SEMH needs
• A calm, patient, and emotionally intelligent approach
• Confidence with behaviour management and de-escalation techniques
• An understanding of trauma-informed practice and how it applies in schools
• Strong communication skills across students, staff, and where appropriate, families
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service
• Relevant qualifications in SEMH, mental health, or education are desirable but not essential

What Teaching Personnel offers:

• Competitive daily rates reflecting your experience
• Weekly pay via PAYE
• Dedicated consultant support
• Free CPD and SEMH-focused training
• Opportunities for permanent employment

Contract: Long-term temporary | Start: September 2026 | Location: Durham secondary school

Send your CV or call 0191 223 5071.

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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