Full-Time SEMH Assistant

GUARDIAN SELECTION LIMITED; Southampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Southampton is hiring a Full-Time SEMH Assistant to support students facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges. This role involves delivering tailored support, managing challenging behaviour, and contributing to pupils' emotional literacy, resilience, and engagement in learning. Ideal candidates should have experience with SEMH needs and be passionate about improving educational outcomes for vulnerable students. Competitive pay and a supportive school environment are offered.

Benefits

Dedicated consultant support

Access to impactful roles

Competitive pay

Supportive school environment

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs is essential.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and behaviour management strategies is important.
• Updated CV and enhanced DBS with GSL Education are required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 support for students with SEMH needs.
• Build trusting relationships that promote emotional well-being.
• Contribute to behaviour plans and risk assessments.

Skills

Emotional resilience

Calmness

Conflict management

Child support

Empathy

Education

Qualifications in psychology, education, or youth work

Job description

Support, Inspire, Empower – Become a Full-Time SEMH Assistant in Southampton!

Location: Southampton, Hampshire
Start Date: September 2025 (or upon completion of notice period)
Contract: Full-Time
Role: SEMH Assistant (Secondary School Setting)

GSL Education are working in partnership with a welcoming and inclusive secondary school in Southampton to appoint a committed SEMH Assistant. This is a full-time opportunity, beginning in September or as soon as the successful candidate is available to start.

About the Role:

This position involves supporting students who face Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges, including anxiety and behaviours that may be difficult to manage. You will be a consistent and reassuring presence within the school, helping pupils to develop their emotional literacy, resilience, and engagement in learning.

Working as part of a supportive team, you will make a meaningful difference to young people who benefit from tailored, compassionate interventions that promote stability and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver targeted 1:1 and small group support for students with SEMH needs.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships that promote positive behaviour and emotional well-being.
• Assist teaching staff in managing challenging behaviour and promoting an inclusive classroom culture.
• Support pupils in developing strategies for self-regulation and confidence.
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, and external professionals to ensure continuity of support.
• Contribute to behaviour plans, risk assessments, and pupil profiles as needed.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Experience supporting children or young people with challenging behaviour, anxiety or SEMH needs is essential.
• Calm, nurturing, and emotionally resilient individuals who can provide consistent and non-judgmental support.
• Confidently managing conflict or emotional outbursts, using de-escalation techniques.
• Passionate about improving educational outcomes for vulnerable students.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and behaviour management strategies.
• Qualifications in psychology, education, youth work or similar are desirable but not essential.
• Have anupdated CV(covering the last ten years, barring any unexplained gaps) and an enhanced DBS registered to the update service or be happy to apply for one with GSL Education.

Why GSL Education?

• Dedicated consultant offering expert support and regular communication.
• Access to roles that make a difference in pupil well-being and learning.
• Competitive pay and opportunities for full-time placement.
• Supportive, inclusive school environment that values every member of staff.

Take the Next Step

If you’re committed to supporting young people through empathy, patience, and structure, this role could be the perfect fit. Join a school community where your contribution will be valued and your presence will have a lasting impact.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks; including providing an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the update service, or completing an application for a new check.

As an ethical, inclusive and independent recruitment agency, GSL Education are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools across the UK.

For more information or to register your interest in the‘Full-Time SEMH Assistant’role, or to be considered, or to be considered, please click‘apply now’to submit your full andup-to-date CVand one of our dedicated consultants, will be in touch.