Teaching Assistant

Location: Andover
Role: Teaching Assistant
Setting: Specialist Primary SEMH Provision
Pay: £14.25 per hour | Full Time | Term Time Only

We are currently seeking a committed, professional, and resilient Teaching Assistant to join a well-established specialist primary setting in Andover. This opportunity would suit individuals with experience supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Special Educational Needs (SEN), or those from a mainstream education background looking to develop their career within a specialist setting.

About the Setting

This specialist provision supports primary-aged pupils who require additional support to access education due to social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school provides a structured, therapeutic, and nurturing environment where pupils are supported to develop emotional regulation, confidence, positive relationships, and engagement with learning.

Many pupils may present with needs linked to attachment difficulties, anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, difficulties with trust and communication, and behaviours that can challenge. Staff take a trauma-informed and relational approach, recognising behaviour as a form of communication and supporting pupils through consistency, clear boundaries, and positive reinforcement.

Small class sizes and strong staffing ratios allow for a personalised approach that prioritises both academic progress and emotional development.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teaching and pastoral teams to support pupils both individually and in small groups. You will play an important role in helping pupils feel safe, regulated, and able to engage in learning.

Some pupils may require support during periods of heightened distress or dysregulation. In these situations, staff are expected to respond calmly and professionally using de-escalation strategies and agreed behaviour support plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Support pupils in accessing learning on a 1:1 basis and in small groups

• Promote emotional regulation and positive engagement within the classroom

• Support behaviour through consistent, therapeutic approaches and clear boundaries

• Build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with pupils

• Work collaboratively with teachers and wider school staff to deliver tailored support

• Contribute to a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment

Requirements

• Experience working with SEMH, SEN, or within an educational setting

• Strong communication and behaviour support skills

• A calm, patient, and emotionally resilient approach

• Ability to remain professional and consistent in challenging situations

• Full-time availability

• A genuine commitment to supporting children with additional needs

An enhanced DBS check will be required.

Pay & Benefits

• £14.25 per hour

• Full-time, term time only position

• Free accredited PRICE (Protecting Rights in a Caring Environment) training provided, equipping staff with safe and ethical approaches to prevention, de-escalation, and, where necessary to maintain safety, restrictive physical intervention in line with school policy and best practice

• Access to additional free online training and recognised certificates

• Ongoing support from experienced education professionals

• Opportunity to develop specialist skills within a collaborative and supportive team

This is an opportunity to join a setting where relationships, consistency, and specialist support make a meaningful difference to pupils’ outcomes. If you are looking for a rewarding role within specialist education, we welcome your application.

Please apply with your up-to-date CV.

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.