Teaching Assistant - Specialist SEMH

Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEMH Base (Ages 11–16)

September Start | Monday–Friday | 08:30–15:30 | £93 per day (Negotiable DOE)

This is far more than a Teaching Assistant position.

We're recruiting for a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join a purpose-built specialist base within a secondary school, supporting young people aged 11–16 with trauma, emotional needs and anxiety
.

Designed as a calm, nurturing environment, the base provides pupils with the opportunity to rebuild trust, develop emotional resilience and successfully reintegrate into school life at a pace that works for them. Rather than coping within a busy mainstream setting, students are supported in a safe space where relationships come first.

If you're someone who wants to make a lasting difference to young people's lives, this could be the most rewarding role you'll ever have.

We're particularly interested in hearing from people who have studied or have experience in:

• Psychology
• Counselling
• Education
• Child Development
• Youth Work
• Social Care
• Mental Health Support
• Behaviour Support
• Residential Care
• Support Worker roles
• Experienced Teaching Assistants looking for a more specialist setting

This is also an exceptional opportunity for anyone considering a future career as a Teacher, Educational Psychologist, Counsellor, Therapist, Social Worker or SEN/SEMH Specialist
.

Working alongside an experienced and supportive team, you will:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who have experienced trauma, anxiety or emotional difficulties.
• Support students to regulate their emotions and develop strategies to manage challenging situations.
• Help improve attendance by making school feel like a safe, welcoming environment.
• Encourage confidence, resilience, social interaction and independence.
• Create a calm and consistent atmosphere where pupils feel understood and valued.
• Support learning through patience, empathy and encouragement rather than confrontation.
• Work closely with teaching staff and pastoral teams to ensure every young person receives the support they need.

• Calm under pressure.
• Patient, empathetic and resilient.
• Able to remain composed during emotionally challenging situations.
• Confident supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.
• An excellent communicator who builds trust naturally.
• Passionate about helping young people achieve outcomes they may never have believed possible.
• Positive, reliable and committed to making a real impact every day.

Many of the young people you'll support find school overwhelming. Some struggle to attend, make friends or feel safe in a traditional classroom.

Your patience, encouragement and consistency could be the reason a pupil attends school for the first time in weeks, begins trusting adults again or rediscovers a love of learning.

This is a role where the small wins become life-changing moments.

If you've ever wanted a career where your work has genuine purpose, where every day brings the opportunity to transform a young person's future, this is it.

Daily Rate: £93 per day (negotiable depending on experience)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm

Start Date: September 2026

Interviews are taking place directly with the school before Thursday 17th July
, with successful candidates secured ahead of the summer holidays ready for a September start.

If you're compassionate, resilient and passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of a team that changes lives—one student at a time.