SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant  

Location: Heywood, Rochdale

Agency: Teaching Personnel

Start Date: ASAP

Teaching Personnel are seeking a confident, resilient and proactive SEMH Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 8 - 16-year-olds, with varying needs in a school in Heywood, Rochdale.

The school supports pupils whose primary need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). Many of the pupils also experience additional SEND needs, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD / ADHD), Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Moderate and Specific Learning Needs (MLD and SpLD) and sensory needs.

The school aims to provide a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment for each pupils’ unique needs, supporting pupils to discover their strengths, build resilience and achieve their full potential.

The role provides a fantastic opportunity for an individual who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and playing a key role in their academic success.

About the Role:

As a SEMH Teaching Assistant you will work closely with teachers, therapists, support staff and parents/carers to ensure nurturing, consistent and personalised support is available for pupils. You will play a key part in meeting the diverse needs of the pupils, offering personalised support and opportunity to help them grow academically, socially and emotionally. The role will require the use of proactive decision-making and de-escalation techniques, during times of challenging behaviour.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting pupils with SEMH difficulties, SLCN, ASD, SLCN, Mild and Specific Learning Needs and sensory needs following individual EHCP targets.
• Providing 1:1 and small‑group support, adapting activities to meet sensory, cognitive, and communication needs.
• Using PECS, visual timetables, sensory strategies, and communication aids.
• Supporting pupils during regulated and dysregulated behaviours, using de‑escalation and positive behaviour strategies.
• Helping to set up engaging learning resources and maintaining a safe, inclusive classroom environment.
• Encouraging independence, emotional wellbeing, resilience, confidence and life skills through consistent routine and positive relationships.
• Communicate with parents and carers, providing updates on pupils education.
• Effective record keeping and awareness of pupils wishes and feelings.
• Assisting with personal care, including toileting, feeding, mobility, and changing, where needed.

Requirements:

Essential:

• Confident and proactive, able to use initiative when supporting pupils with complex needs.
• Patient, adaptable, and resilient, with a genuine passion for supporting children with SEMH
• Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willing to support with personal care and mobility needs.
• Available full‑time and committed to a long‑term role.

Desirable:

• Experience working with young people with SEMH and SEN needs.

What Can Teaching Personnel Offer?

• Long-term, full-time positions across a variety of schools
• Support from a dedicated team
• Competitive pay with weekly payments
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• The chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people

If you have a passion for supporting children and young people with complex needs to reach their full potential, we would love to hear from you.

Apply Today

To apply or find out more, please contact Teaching Personnel or submit 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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