SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Hillingdon, AP Unit 
Hours: 5 hours per day, 5 days per week (Term-Time: 39 weeks)
Day Rate: £70–£80 per day (depending on experience)
Reports to: AP Manager

Overview

AP Unit is a nationally recognised provider of tailored education pathways for young people disengaged from mainstream education. Our mission is to empower every learner to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically, regardless of background or barrier.

The Restorative Development Programme is a 12-week early intervention initiative for Year 7–11 students who are at risk of exclusion. It combines structured routines, emotional wellbeing support, and behaviour coaching to re-engage students through a proactive and relational approach.

As a Restorative Engagement Coach & Mentor, you will play a frontline role in shaping a positive daily experience for learners, delivering SEMH support, physical activity, and behaviour coaching sessions to build their confidence, resilience, and trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and support daily coaching and mentoring sessions, including physical activity-based routines, reflection activities, and emotional check-ins.
• Facilitate 1-1 and small group SEMH interventions, helping students build emotional literacy and resilience.
• Use restorative practice techniques to address behaviour concerns, promote accountability, and repair relationships.
• Build consistent, trusting relationships with students who may have experienced trauma, exclusion, or instability.
• Implement positive routines, including daily breakfast and a structured start to the day.
• Monitor student behaviour and wellbeing, contributing to weekly progress updates and termly reports.
• Collaborate with the wider team to develop personalised support strategies.
• Participate in enrichment activities and sessions with guest contributors.
• Engage with parents/carers to celebrate progress and build support networks.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and organisational policies.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Level 2 or above qualification in Youth Work, Education Support, Health & Social Care, Sports Coaching, or a similar field.
• Proven experience working with young people with SEMH or SEND needs, ideally in an alternative education or pastoral setting.
• Knowledge of ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and their impact on behaviour and learning.
• Strong understanding of behaviour management strategies, including de-escalation, restorative approaches, and relational practice.
• Experience delivering or supporting mentoring, coaching, or emotional wellbeing interventions.
• Up-to-date Safeguarding training (or willingness to undertake).
• First Aid qualification (or willingness to complete).

Key Qualities & Skills

• Deep empathy, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Confident in engaging hard-to-reach young people with authenticity and positivity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity, and student-centred practice.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic setting.

Desirable (But Not Essential)

• Training in Trauma-Informed Practice or Restorative Justice.
• Experience in physical activity or sports coaching.
• Familiarity with alternative provision models and reporting frameworks.

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.