Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & EBSAR

TimePlan Education; Northampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

TimePlan Education is recruiting a Learning Support Assistant in Northampton to support students with SEMH and EBSAR. The role involves 1:1 and small-group support, helping students engage with learning and build confidence, under the guidance of pastoral and SEND teams.

The ideal candidate will be compassionate, patient and resilient, capable of fostering strong relationships and adapting approaches to meet individual needs, with a focus on wellbeing and educational engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH, EBSAR, anxiety, SEND or pastoral support.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to students with SEMH and EBSAR.
• Help students engage positively with learning and the wider school environment.
• Develop trusting, positive relationships with students.
• Assist students in managing anxiety and emotional regulation.
• Support pupils with attendance or transitions into school.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral staff and SEND team.

Skills

Compassionate

Empathy

Resilience

Relationship building

Job description

Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & EBSAR

Location: Northampton

Contract: Full Time

Start Date: ASAP / September 2026

Role: Learning Support Assistant (LSA)

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Are you passionate about supporting young people who face barriers to education? Do you have the patience, empathy and resilience to help students rebuild their confidence and re-engage with school?

A welcoming secondary school in Northampton is seeking a dedicated Full-Time Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join their team and provide targeted support to students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSAR).

About the role

As an LSA, you will work closely with students who may experience anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, low confidence and barriers to attending or engaging with school.

You will provide consistent, nurturing support to help students feel safe, develop positive relationships and gradually build their confidence in accessing education.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to students with SEMH and EBSAR.
• Supporting students to engage positively with learning and the wider school environment.
• Developing trusting and positive relationships with students.
• Helping students manage anxiety, emotional regulation and challenging situations.
• Supporting pupils who may struggle with attendance or transitioning into school.
• Working alongside teachers, pastoral staff and the school's SEND team.
• Encouraging independence, resilience and positive behaviour.
• Adapting your approach to meet individual students' needs.
• Maintaining a calm, consistent and nurturing presence throughout the school day.

The ideal candidate

The school is looking for someone who is compassionate, patient and resilient, with a genuine desire to make a difference to young people's lives.

Experience working with SEMH, EBSAR, anxiety, SEND, challenging behaviour, vulnerable young people or pastoral support would be highly advantageous. Experience within a school setting is desirable, but the school would also consider candidates from youth work, residential care, mental health support or similar backgrounds.

Most importantly, you will be someone who can build strong relationships with young people and understand that progress may sometimes happen in small steps.

Why join this school?

• Full-time, long-term opportunity within a supportive secondary school.
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to students' lives.
• Supportive and experienced pastoral and SEND teams.
• A role focused on both wellbeing and educational engagement.
• Excellent opportunity for candidates looking to develop their experience in SEMH and SEND.
• Potential for a permanent position for the right candidate.If you are an empathetic and committed Learning Support Assistant who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to education, we would love to hear from you.