Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistant

GSL Education; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspiring Psychologist - Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistant in Southwark, London. GSL Education are seeking a compassionate graduate to support SEMH needs in a Primary school. Full-time term-time role with daily pay and strong professional development opportunities.

This role offers hands-on experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs, including anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergent profiles. You will work closely with teachers, SENCOs, and pastoral teams to promote wellbeing and learning.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in psychology, mental health, neurodivergence, or child development.
• Experience (paid) in youth work, SEN support, coaching or counselling.
• Calm, patient, empathetic and emotionally resilient personality.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build trust with vulnerable young people.
• Genuine passion for supporting children's mental health and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and neurodivergent needs.
• Supporting pupils who may present with anxiety, emotional distress, or challenging behaviour.
• Using trauma-informed, de-escalation, and co-regulation techniques to support pupils in crisis.
• Helping pupils access lessons and classroom activities by removing emotional and sensory barriers.
• Encouraging routine, structure, and predictability to reduce anxiety.
• Using calm, consistent behaviour support and restorative approaches.
• Collaborating with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, CAMHS professionals, and pastoral teams.
• Acting as a positive role model for patience, empathy, resilience, and emotional regulation.

Skills

Interest in psychology

Youth work or SEN support

Calm and empathetic

Strong communication

Passion for children's mental health

Job description

Aspiring Psychologist - Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistant in Southwark, London. GSL Education are seeking a compassionate graduate to support SEMH needs in a Primary school. Full-time term-time role with daily pay and strong professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in psychology, mental health, neurodivergence, or child development.
• Experience (paid) in youth work, SEN support, coaching or counselling.
• Calm, patient, empathetic and emotionally resilient personality.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build trust with vulnerable young people.
• Genuine passion for supporting children's mental health and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and neurodivergent needs.
• Supporting pupils who may present with anxiety, emotional distress, or challenging behaviour.
• Using trauma-informed, de-escalation, and co-regulation techniques to support pupils in crisis.
• Helping pupils access lessons and classroom activities by removing emotional and sensory barriers.
• Encouraging routine, structure, and predictability to reduce anxiety.
• Using calm, consistent behaviour support and restorative approaches.
• Collaborating with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, CAMHS professionals, and pastoral teams.
• Acting as a positive role model for patience, empathy, resilience, and emotional regulation.

Job description

Aspiring Psychologist - Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistant
Location: Southwark, London
Start Date: 2nd of November 2026
Contract: Full-time, Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4pm - Term Time Only
Pay: £95 per day
Sector: Education and Training - SEMH & Mental Health Support

Aspiring Psychologist - Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistant - Southwark Education and Training - Mental Health - SEMH - Career Development Opportunity

Are you passionate about mental health, neurodivergence, and child psychology? Looking for handson experience supporting young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs before pursuing a career in clinical or educational psychology, counselling, CAMHS, occupational therapy, or therapeutic support?

We are recruiting compassionate and resilient Mental Health & SEMH Support Assistants for a primary school in Southwark. This school supports children and young people with a range of SEMH needs, including anxiety, trauma, attachment difficulties, ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent profiles. Many pupils have experienced adverse childhood experiences and require consistent, traumainformed support to feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn.

This role is ideal for graduates and aspiring professionals who want to build a longterm career supporting children with mental health and neurodevelopmental needs.

Why This Role Is