SEMH Teaching Assistant

Job Type: Full-time, term-time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Agency: Teaching Personnel

Are you passionate about supporting young people who face challenges with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH)?

Teaching Personnel are currently seeking a dedicated and resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist behavioural unit in Maidstone. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people who may require additional support with their behaviour, emotional wellbeing and engagement in education.

The Role

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teaching staff and the wider pastoral team to provide consistent, positive support to pupils with a range of SEMH and behavioural needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils on a 1:1 and small-group basis both in and outside the classroom.
• Helping students manage their emotions and develop positive coping strategies.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils through consistency and empathy.
• Supporting the implementation of individual behaviour and learning plans.
• Encouraging positive behaviour and engagement with learning.
• De-escalating challenging situations calmly and appropriately.
• Helping pupils develop their confidence, independence and social skills.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals.
• Creating a safe, structured and supportive learning environment.

About You

The successful candidate will be patient, calm, approachable and resilient, with a genuine desire to support young people who may have experienced difficulties within mainstream education.

Previous experience working with SEMH, challenging behaviour, SEND, youth work, residential care or similar settings would be highly beneficial. However, Teaching Personnel are also keen to hear from candidates with transferable experience and the right attitude.

You will need to be confident in maintaining boundaries while building positive relationships, and able to remain composed when faced with challenging behaviour.

Why Work with Teaching Personnel?

• Competitive rates of pay.
• Access to a wide range of education opportunities.
• Support from a dedicated consultant.
• Free CPD and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities to gain valuable experience within specialist educational settings.
• Potential for longer-term and permanent opportunities.
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of young people.

If you are an enthusiastic and compassionate individual looking for a rewarding role supporting young people with SEMH needs, we would love to hear from you.

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.