Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Weekly PAYE

Free CPD

Dedicated consultant

Ongoing support

Long-term opportunities

Refer-a-friend bonus

Job summary

Protocol Education are seeking a Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant to join a specialist education setting in Sunderland, starting in September 2026. The role involves supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs, promoting positive behaviour alongside teachers, and providing individualized guidance to help pupils stay engaged during lessons.

The successful candidate will help pupils recognise emotions, encourage communication, and build consistent, supportive relationships to enable

Qualifications

• Confident and approachable.
• Calm when faced with challenging situations.
• Patient and understanding.
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Consistent in their approach.
• Able to establish boundaries whilst maintaining positive relationships.
• Passionate about helping young people succeed.
• Previous experience in schools, SEMH settings, youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, care, residential work or behaviour support would be advantageous.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a bonus, although this is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Working alongside teachers to promote positive behaviour.
• Providing individualised support to pupils who require additional guidance.
• Helping pupils recognise and manage their emotions.
• Encouraging positive communication and social interaction.
• Supporting pupils to remain engaged within lessons.
• De‑scalating situations calmly and professionally.
• Helping pupils develop strategies to manage their behaviour.
• Building positive relationships and acting as a consistent role model.
• Supporting pupils during less structured parts of the school day.
• Encouraging independence and preparing pupils for their next steps.

Job description

Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant | Sunderland | September Start

Location: Sunderland

Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only

Start Date: September 2026

Hours: 8:30am–4:30pm

Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experience

Could you be the positive role model a young person needs?

Protocol Education are working with a specialist education setting in Sunderland that is seeking a Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant to join their team from September.

This role would suit someone who is confident working with young people who may display challenging behaviour and understands that positive relationships are often the key to improving engagement.

You don't necessarily need years of school experience. The right attitude, resilience and personality are just as important.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Working alongside teachers to promote positive behaviour.
• Providing individualised support to pupils who require additional guidance.
• Helping pupils recognise and manage their emotions.
• Encouraging positive communication and social interaction.
• Supporting pupils to remain engaged within lessons.
• De‑scalating situations calmly and professionally.
• Helping pupils develop strategies to manage their behaviour.
• Building positive relationships and acting as a consistent role model.
• Supporting pupils during less structured parts of the school day.
• Encouraging independence and preparing pupils for their next steps.

What We're Looking For

• Confident and approachable.
• Calm when faced with challenging situations.
• Patient and understanding.
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Consistent in their approach.
• Able to establish boundaries whilst maintaining positive relationships.
• Passionate about helping young people succeed.
• Previous experience in schools, SEMH settings, youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, care, residential work or behaviour support would be advantageous.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a bonus, although this is not essential.

What Protocol Education Offers

• Competitive daily rate.
• Weekly PAYE pay.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Dedicated consultant.
• Ongoing support.
• Access to long-term and permanent opportunities.
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive specialist setting and help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role.

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.

Full assistance provided.