Learning Support Assistant - Level 3 - Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Notre Dame High School; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Notre Dame High School in Sheffield invites applications for a Level 3 Learning Support Assistant specialising in SEMH to join our supportive and inclusive team. You will work with students facing social, emotional and mental health challenges to foster resilience and engagement with learning.

The successful candidate will provide classroom-based and targeted interventions, build emotional literacy and positive attitudes to learning, and work closely with staff, families and external agencies to

Qualifications

• Empathetic, patient and adaptable approach when supporting vulnerable young people.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with staff, families and external agencies.
• Experience or knowledge of SEMH needs and related strategies is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with students experiencing SEMH difficulties to reduce barriers to learning and build resilience.
• Provide both classroom-based and targeted intervention support, developing emotional literacy and social skills.
• Keywork identified students as a consistent, trusted adult, offering mentoring and goal-setting support.
• Collaborate with teaching staff, safeguarding colleagues, SEND department and external partners to coordinate personalised support plans.
• Monitor attendance, wellbeing and engagement, contributing to positive outcomes.

Skills

Empathetic

Patience

Adaptable

Interpersonal skills

Experience with SEMH

Job description

Notre Dame High School, a vibrant and inclusive Catholic school and proud member of the St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust, is seeking to appoint a dedicated, compassionate and resilient Level 3 Learning Support Assistant specialising in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) to join our experienced and highly committed support team.

As an inclusive school, we are passionate about ensuring that every student has equal access to learning, enrichment opportunities, pastoral support and all aspects of school life. We believe that all young people should be given the support they need to achieve their full potential, regardless of the barriers they may face. We are therefore looking for an individual who is committed to making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people and who shares our ambition for every student to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

About the Role

As a Level 3 Learning Support Assistant (SEMH), you will work closely with students who experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties, helping them to overcome barriers to learning, develop resilience and engage positively with school life.

The successful candidate will provide both classroom-based and targeted intervention support, working with individual students and small groups to develop emotional literacy, self-esteem, emotional regulation, social skills, confidence and positive attitudes to learning. You will play a key role in creating a nurturing and supportive environment where students feel safe, valued and understood.

The role will include delivering a range of evidence-informed SEMH interventions, including Emotional Literacy Support Assistant programmes, mentoring, emotional regulation support, restorative conversations, anxiety management strategies and transition support. You will help students develop the skills and strategies needed to manage challenges, build positive relationships and successfully access the curriculum.

A significant aspect of the role will be the opportunity to keywork identified students, acting as a consistent and trusted adult who can provide guidance, encouragement and advocacy. Through regular mentoring and support meetings, you will help students set goals, celebrate successes, reflect on challenges and develop the confidence and resilience needed to succeed both in school and beyond.

You will work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams, safeguarding colleagues, the SEND department, families and external agencies to ensure students receive coordinated and effective support. The successful candidate will contribute to personalised support plans and intervention programmes, helping to improve student engagement, wellbeing, attendance and outcomes.

The ideal candidate will be empathetic, patient and adaptable, with excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable young people. Experience of working with students with SEMH needs, anxiety, attachment difficulties, trauma-informed approaches, ADHD, autism or other additional needs would be advantageous.

At Notre Dame High School, our work is underpinned by Gospel values, high aspirations and a commitment to ensuring every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their best.