SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant – Southampton
Southampton |  £13.75/hour (Paid weekly via PAYE) Full-time or Part-time | Term Time Only
Contract Type: Long-term (potential for permanent placement)

Are you a patient, resilient, and compassionate individual looking to make a real difference in the lives of young people?

Teaching Personnel are currently recruiting for a dedicated SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Teaching Assistant to join a specialist school in Southampton. This is a rewarding opportunity to support students who may face emotional challenges, mental health difficulties, and behavioural needs that affect their ability to engage with mainstream education.

What is an SEMH School?

SEMH schools provide targeted support for pupils who struggle with social interaction, emotional regulation, and mental health. Many students may have experienced trauma, adverse childhood experiences, or disrupted education. These schools focus not only on academic development but also on emotional resilience, behaviour management, and life skills.

The Role:

As a Teaching Assistant in this setting, you will:

• Provide one-to-one and small group support across the school day

• Assist with emotional regulation and behaviour management

• Encourage pupils’ engagement with learning and personal development

• Work alongside teachers, therapists, and other professionals to meet individual needs

• Help to create a calm, consistent, and nurturing learning environment

Ideal Candidate:

• Experience working with young people with SEMH, SEND, or in care/support roles (desirable but not essential)

• Strong interpersonal and behaviour management skills

• Calm, patient, and adaptable in challenging situations

• Able to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils

• Committed to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing

What Teaching Personnel Offer:

• £13.75 per hour, paid weekly via PAYE (no umbrella fees)

• A dedicated consultant to support your placement

• Access to free and discounted CPD (e.g. Team Teach, Safeguarding, Autism Awareness)

• Long-term and permanent opportunities

• A deeply rewarding role with the potential to make a life-changing impact

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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