SEMH Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant – Bradford

We’re looking for a dedicated, resilient and compassionate SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive secondary school in Bradford. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning, develop their confidence and achieve their potential.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, helping them to engage positively with education and develop the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs
• Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions and manage challenging behaviours
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced barriers to learning
• Supporting pupils to access the curriculum and remain engaged in lessons
  
  Working alongside teachers and pastoral staff to implement individual support strategies and interventions
• Helping pupils develop their confidence, resilience, independence and social skills
• Using positive behaviour strategies to encourage appropriate attitudes and engagement
• Supporting pupils during times of dysregulation, helping them to return to learning in a calm and appropriate manner
• Monitoring pupil progress and sharing relevant observations with teachers and pastoral teams
• Supporting the school’s wider safeguarding, behaviour and inclusion strategies

The ideal SEMH Teaching Assistant will be patient, consistent and emotionally resilient, with the ability to build meaningful relationships with young people and maintain clear boundaries.

You should have:

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, behavioural or additional needs
• Experience working within a school, college, youth, care or similar setting
• A calm and measured approach when managing challenging or unpredictable situations
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
• A strong understanding of positive behaviour management and emotional regulation
• Resilience and patience when supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour
• The confidence to de-escalate situations and respond appropriately under pressure
• A consistent approach and the ability to follow agreed support and behaviour strategies
• A genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential
• The ability to work effectively as part of a wider team, communicating with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Experience or qualifications in education, SEN, youth work, counselling, psychology, childcare or similar fields would be advantageous. A Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable but not essential where relevant experience can be demonstrated.

The school provides a calm, settled and supportive environment, with Ofsted highlighting the warm and respectful relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils are encouraged to speak openly with trusted adults about their worries and concerns, while staff use positive relationships and clear routines to create a caring environment.

The school has a strong focus on supporting pupils’ social and emotional wellbeing, with Ofsted noting that pupils who require additional support are identified and provided with targeted programmes to help them successfully return to their regular timetable.

Ofsted also recognised the school’s:

• Good overall effectiveness
• Good behaviour and attitudes
• Good personal development
• Good quality of education
• Calm and settled atmosphere
• Warm, respectful relationships between pupils and adults
• Strong focus on inclusion and supporting pupils with SEND
• Effective use of pupil information to provide appropriate support
• Strong teamwork and a supportive staff culture
• Effective safeguarding arrangements

This is an excellent opportunity for an SEMH Teaching Assistant who wants to join a school where relationships, wellbeing,…