Teaching Assistant

SEMH / SEND Teaching Assistant

Location: Poole, Dorset

Salary: £13.75

Start Date: ASAP / January 2026

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Are you passionate about supporting young people with SEMH and SEN needs?

If you answered yes, then this job opportunity for an SEN(D) Teaching Assistant may be for you! A Primary / Secondary School in Poole is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to join their team!

The Role:

You will be supporting classroom teachers in providing the best learning environment possible for pupils aged 7-16 years old. This is a specialised school for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The SEMH needs of pupils often impact their ability to access mainstream education and may include:

• Anxiety disorders
• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC - with SEMH as primary need)
• Trauma-related difficulties

This school provides long-term specialist education for children who cannot access mainstream schooling due to their SEMH needs.

This school strives to ensure every student grows in confidence; is ready to achieve success and contributes positively to society by providing them with imaginative, nurturing and motivating learning opportunities.

It offers a dynamic and creative curriculum with focus on personalised programmes to help pupils develop coping skills for life beyond school and emphasis on emotional resilience, reflections, and restorative practices.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Relevant experience in similar educational settings
• Mental Health experience / Psychology degree
• SEND experience
• Understanding of positive behaviour support strategies
• Able to de-escalate challenging situations calmly and safely

Working Hours/Benefits:

• Full Time
• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday = 08:45 – 15:45
• Tuesday = 08:45 – 16:15
• Teaching Personnel offers its educators 10 SEN training courses which are free of charge, plus plenty more with a generous discount!
• 12.07% Holiday Pay
• Please note, this role is Term-Time Only

If you’d like to be a part of a happy and ambitious school which enriches individuals academically, socially and emotionally, then this is the role for 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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