SEMH Teaching Assistant

Teaching Personnel is seeking a dedicated and experienced Behaviour Mentor to join a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) unit in Tonbridge. This is a full-time position supporting pupils who require additional behavioural and emotional support to access education successfully.

You will play a vital role in helping students develop positive behaviours, emotional resilience, and engagement with learning in a structured and supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support for students with SEMH needs
• Implement behaviour management strategies and individual support plans
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students to encourage progress
• Support students in managing emotions and improving social skills
• Work closely with teaching staff, SENCOs, and external professionals
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment
• Monitor and report on student progress and behaviour

Requirements

• Essential: Previous experience working with children or young people with SEMH needs or challenging behaviour
• Strong behaviour management skills and resilience
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond appropriately to challenging situations
• A patient, empathetic, and consistent approach
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people

Desirable

• Experience in an SEMH setting, PRU, or alternative provision
• Relevant qualifications in education, psychology, youth work, or similar
• Team Teach or other behaviour management training (or willingness to undertake training)

What Teaching Personnel Offers

• Competitive rates of pay
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• Dedicated consultant support
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives

How to Apply

If you are a committed Behaviour Mentor looking to make a difference in an SEMH setting, we would love to hear from you. Apply today with your CV and a brief cover statement outlining your experience.

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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