Learning Support Assistant (SEMH)

Teaching Personnel; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel in Blackburn seeks a Learning Support Assistant to support pupils in a specialist SEMH setting across primary and secondary phases. This temporary to permanent role starts September 2026 and offers a rewarding career helping pupils overcome challenges.

You will provide one-to-one and small group support, build trusting relationships, and implement trauma-informed strategies to help pupils regulate emotions, remain engaged, and achieve positive outcomes academically and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs and behavioural challenges.
• Understanding of ACEs and trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to remain calm, patient and professional in challenging situations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Passion for helping vulnerable learners overcome barriers to learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small group support for SEMH pupils.
• Foster positive relationships that promote emotional regulation.
• Support pupils with dysregulation, anxiety and disengagement.
• Implement behaviour strategies using trauma-informed approaches.
• Help pupils develop social skills and coping strategies.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to pupil progress reviews.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists and pastoral teams.

Skills

SEMH Experience

Trauma-informed

Resilience

Communication

Empathy

Job description

Temporary to Permanent Opportunity Start Date: September 2026 Term Time Only

Are you passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people who have experienced significant challenges in their early lives?

We are seeking dedicated, resilient and compassionate Learning Support Assistants to join a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) setting supporting pupils across both primary and secondary phases. This is a temporary to permanent position commencing in September, offering an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career within specialist education.

You will support pupils who present with a range of social, emotional and behavioural needs, many of whom have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, attachment difficulties, neglect, loss, family instability, or disrupted educational journeys.

Working closely with teaching staff and pastoral teams, you will help create a safe, consistent and nurturing environment where pupils can develop confidence, resilience and achieve positive outcomes both academically and socially.

• Provide one-to-one and small group support for pupils with SEMH needs.
• Foster positive, trusting relationships that promote emotional regulation and engagement in learning.
• Support pupils who may display behaviours that challenge, including dysregulation, verbal aggression, conflict, avoidance, anxiety, low self-esteem or disengagement from education.
• Implement behaviour support strategies using a trauma-informed and restorative approach.
• Help pupils develop social skills, emotional literacy and coping strategies.
• Support teaching and learning activities across the curriculum.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to pupil progress reviews.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams and external professionals.

• Experience working with children or young people with SEMH needs, SEND, behavioural challenges or vulnerable learners.
• An understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), attachment difficulties and trauma-informed practice.
• The ability to remain calm, patient and professional in challenging situations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine passion for supporting young people to overcome barriers to learning.
• Strong resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Experience within alternative provision, SEMH schools, SEND settings, youth work, residential care or similar environments is highly desirable.

• Opportunity to secure a permanent position following a successful temporary period.
• A supportive and experienced leadership team.
• Ongoing professional development and specialist SEMH training.
• A rewarding role where every day makes a difference.
• The opportunity to positively impact the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

This role involves regulated activity with children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

If you are resilient, compassionate and committed to helping children and young people overcome the impact of trauma and adversity, we would love to hear from you.

Job Type: Temporary to Permanent
Hours: Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Setting: Primary & Secondary SEMH Provision
Salary: Competitive and dependent on experience.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ's on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
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.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Edu