Teaching Assistant – SEMH School – Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth
Role: Teaching Assistant
Start Date: Immediate

Do you have the resilience and patience to make a real difference?

We are looking for a dedicated and resilient Teaching Assistant to join a challenging SEMH school in Portsmouth, supporting young people who need additional help to engage with education and reach their potential.

This is a rewarding but demanding role, suited to someone who can remain calm, consistent and positive when faced with challenging behaviour.

You don't need to have all the answers. What matters is your ability to build trust, maintain boundaries and show young people that you genuinely believe in them.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils.

• Assist teachers with learning and classroom activities.

• Support pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs.

• Help manage challenging behaviour using positive and consistent approaches.

• Build trusting relationships with pupils while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Encourage pupils to engage with learning and develop their confidence.

• Support pupils during lessons, break times and other activities.

• Work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and senior leaders.

• Help create a safe, structured and supportive environment.

We're Looking For Someone Who Is:

• Patient, resilient and calm under pressure.

• Confident working with challenging behaviour.

• Able to establish clear boundaries and maintain consistency.

• Caring, approachable and able to build positive relationships.

• Flexible and willing to adapt their approach.

• Passionate about supporting young people who may have struggled in mainstream education.

• Reliable, professional and committed to safeguarding.

Previous experience in SEMH, SEN, PRU, alternative provision, youth work, care or challenging mainstream schools would be beneficial, but attitude, resilience and the willingness to make a difference are just as important.

Why Join?

This isn't simply a classroom support role. You'll have the opportunity to become a trusted adult for young people who may have had difficult experiences with education.

Working in SEMH can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The small victories matter, and your consistency, patience and encouragement could make a significant difference to a pupil's confidence and future.

If you're looking for a role where no two days are the same and your work genuinely matters, we'd 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.
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