Behaviour Support Assistant

Teaching Personnel Ltd.; Trafford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel Ltd. is seeking a compassionate Teaching Assistant to join a Pupil Referral Unit in Trafford. The role focuses on supporting pupils aged 5-16 with SEMH/SEN needs in a safe, structured environment.

You will work with teachers and external professionals to deliver individualised support plans, helping pupils with emotional development, engagement and long-term progress.

Qualifications

• Calm, confident and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour.
• Genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and young people.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain clear boundaries with a caring and consistent approach.
• Commitment to a full-time, long-term position.
• Desirable: Team Teach training or willingness to train.
• Experience in a PRU/SEN or youth work setting is advantageous.
• Knowledge of traumainformed practice or behaviour management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 and small-group support for SEMH/SEN pupils.
• Build positive, trusting relationships to improve engagement and attendance.
• Support emotional regulation and apply de-escalation strategies.
• Adapt learning activities to meet individual education and behaviour plans.
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive behaviour choices.
• Assist with behaviour management using traumainformed and restorative approaches.
• Help maintain a safe, inclusive and structured learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams and external agencies.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to pupil support planning.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Relationship building

Patience

Consistent approach

Education

Experience with SEMH/SEN settings

Job description

Teaching Personnel is seeking a caring and committed Teaching Assistant to join a progressive and supportive Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Trafford. This role offers a unique opportunity to have a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people who need a more tailored and compassionate educational experience.

About the Setting

The PRU supports pupils aged 5-16 who are currently unable to thrive within mainstream education. Many students present with SEMH needs, additional learning needs, or have experienced complex personal and educational challenges.

The provision delivers education within a safe, structured and traumainformed environment, helping pupils rebuild trust, regain confidence and develop essential life and learning skills.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will be central to supporting pupils' academic progress, emotional development and positive behaviour. Working alongside teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals, you will help deliver individualised support plans that encourage engagement, emotional regulation and longterm success.

This role is ideal for someone who is patient, consistent and calm, even in challenging situations, and who is genuinely motivated to support vulnerable young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 and smallgroup support for pupils with SEMH and SEN needs
• Build positive, trusting relationships to improve engagement and attendance
• Support emotional regulation and use appropriate deescalation strategies
• Adapt learning activities to meet individual education and behaviour plans
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive behaviour choices
• Assist with behaviour management using traumainformed and restorative approaches
• Help maintain a safe, inclusive and structured learning environment
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams and external agencies
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to pupil support planning

The Ideal Candidate

Essential:

• Calm, confident and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour
• A genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and young people
• Strong communication and relationshipbuilding skills
• Ability to maintain clear boundaries with a caring and consistent approach
• Commitment to a fulltime, longterm position

Desirable:

• Team Teach trained or willing to train

• Previous experience in a PRU, SEMH provision, SEN school or youth work setting
• Knowledge of traumainformed practice or behaviour management strategies