SEND Teaching Assistant - Waltham Forest

Job Title: SEN Teaching Assistant – SEMH School
Location: Waltham Forest, East London
Salary: £90–£100 per day (PAYE, weekly pay)
Contract: Full-time, Long-term
Start Date: ASAP

Some pupils test boundaries. Some push back. Some have learned not to trust adults yet.

But when the right person walks into the room, everything can start to shift.

We’re working with a specialist SEMH school in Waltham Forest looking for a resilient, compassionate SEN Teaching Assistant who understands that behaviour tells a story.

This is more than classroom support. It’s relationship‑building. Emotional coaching. Being the adult who stays.

• Supporting pupils 1:1 and in small groups
• Helping students manage emotions and regulate behaviour
• Reinforcing clear routines and consistent expectations
• Working alongside teachers, pastoral leads, and therapists
• Creating a safe, structured learning environment

In SEMH settings, progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Subtle. Powerful.

A student asking for help instead of walking out. That’s a win.

• Specialist SEMH provision with strong safeguarding culture
• Clear behaviour framework and supportive SLT
• Ongoing CPD and hands‑on training
• A team that genuinely supports each other

No sink‑or‑swim. Proper guidance. Real teamwork.

• Have experience in SEMH, PRU, youth work, mentoring, care, or support roles
• Stay calm and measured when situations escalation
• Understand trauma‑informed practice
• Can set boundaries firmly, but fairly
• Want a role that makes a genuine difference

This isn’t always the easiest job in education. But it might be one of the most important.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the 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 FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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