1:1 SEMH Teaching Assistant

Ribbons & Reeves; London Borough of Bromley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Ribbons & Reeves in London is seeking a resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant to support students with SEMH and behavioural needs. You will provide 1:1 and small-group support, help students access lessons, and foster emotional regulation and positive learning habits.

Join a specialist SEMH environment where building trust, maintaining boundaries, and close collaboration with teachers and pastoral staff are key to helping students re-engage with learning and grow confidence.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH, SEN, or behaviour support is advantageous.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Calm under pressure and patient approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support across the school day.
• Support students to access lessons and participate in learning.
• Help students develop emotional regulation and positive behaviour.
• De-escalate challenging situations using calm approaches.
• Collaborate with teachers and pastoral staff to maintain consistent approaches.

Skills

SEMH support

Behaviour management

Student engagement

1:1 support

Team collaboration

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant | SEMH School | Behaviour Support | Challenging Behaviour | Full-Time | London

Are you passionate about supporting young people with SEMH and behavioural needs who need the right environment to succeed?

A specialist SEMH school in London is seeking a resilient and committed Teaching Assistant to support students who may have experienced difficulties in mainstream education, challenging behaviour, anxiety, low confidence or disengagement from learning. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who can build trust with young people while maintaining clear boundaries and who understands that strong relationships are often the first step towards meaningful progress.

The Role – As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support students with SEMH, behavioural and additional needs.
• Build positive relationships with young people who may be anxious, disengaged or resistant to education.
• Provide 1:1 and small-group support across the school day.
• Support students to access lessons and participate in learning.
• Help students develop emotional regulation, confidence and positive behaviour strategies.
• De-escalate challenging situations using calm and consistent approaches.
• Encourage students to develop independence, resilience and positive learning habits.
• Support students during lessons, transitions and unstructured periods.
• Work closely with teachers and pastoral staff to maintain consistent approaches.
• Help create a safe, structured and positive classroom environment.
• Contribute to students' academic, social and emotional development.

What We're Looking For

• Experience working with young people is desirable but not essential.
• Experience in SEMH, SEN, PRU, AP, behaviour, youth work, mentoring or care is advantageous.
• Resilient and confident managing challenging behaviour.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries and consistency.
• Patient, positive and non-judgemental.
• Calm under pressure and able to respond appropriately to challenging situations.
• A genuine belief in the potential of every young person.

Graduates, youth workers, sports coaches, ex-police/military, support workers, experienced TAs and aspiring teachers are encouraged to apply.

Why This Role?

This is more than a traditional Teaching Assistant position. You'll be supporting young people who may have struggled within mainstream education and helping them build confidence, manage their behaviour and re-engage with learning.

You'll gain valuable experience across SEMH, behaviour support, SEN and education while working alongside experienced teachers and pastoral professionals.

If you're looking for a rewarding SEMH Teaching Assistant role where your personality and approach can make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.