Primary SEMH Teaching Assistant

Connex Education; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 12,915 - 18,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily pay

Weekly PAYE pay – no umbrella

Free access to Classroom Toolkits

Career progression opportunities

Wellbeing support and training

Job summary

Connex Education is recruiting passionate Primary SEMH Teaching Assistants to support pupils across Bridgwater from September 2026. You will work in mainstream primary schools, helping learners with SEMH, behavioural needs and other SEND requirements to engage with lessons.

We welcome compassionate, resilient candidates with strong communication skills who can build trusting relationships, support learning, and contribute to a safe, inclusive classroom environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people, ideally in education, care or support settings.
• Enhanced DBS on Update Service or willingness to obtain one through Connex Education.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Support primary pupils with SEMH needs within the classroom and around the school.
• Build positive relationships to promote emotional wellbeing, confidence and engagement.
• Assist with learning, behaviour and social development through targeted interventions.
• Work with teachers and pastoral staff to deliver tailored support strategies.
• Help create a safe, nurturing, inclusive learning environment.

Skills

Experience with children

Communication skills

Resilience

Interpersonal skills

Calm and patient approach

Job description

Connex Education is currently recruiting passionate and dedicated Primary SEMH Teaching Assistants to support a variety of primary schools across Bridgwater from September 2026.

These roles involve working within mainstream primary schools, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, behavioural challenges, trauma-informed needs and additional learning needs. You may also work with children with Autism (ASC), ADHD, communication difficulties and other SEND requirements, providing tailored support to help them engage positively with learning and school life.

We are looking for compassionate, resilient and adaptable individuals who are committed to helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential within supportive and nurturing primary school environments. Opportunities are available on a day-to-day, short-term, and long-term basis, offering flexibility to suit your availability and career goals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting primary-aged pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs within the classroom and around the school
• Building positive, trusting relationships that promote emotional wellbeing, confidence and engagement
• Supporting pupils with their learning, behaviour and social development through individual and small group interventions
• Working alongside teachers, SENDCos and pastoral staff to deliver tailored support strategies
• Helping to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive

Why This Opportunity is Ideal

• Gain valuable experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs within mainstream primary education
• Develop your behaviour management, communication and de-escalation skills
• Build meaningful relationships with local primary schools and education professionals
• Enhance your CV with rewarding and varied SEND experience
• Access ongoing support from education specialists with expertise in SEND and SEMH

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working with children or young people, ideally within education, care or support settings (desirable but not essential)
• A genuine passion for supporting primary-aged children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs
• Strong communication, resilience and interpersonal skills
• A calm, patient and adaptable approach to supporting pupils with a range of additional needs
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one through Connex Education

About the Schools

We work with a network of welcoming and inclusive primary schools across Bridgwater and the surrounding Somerset area, supporting pupils with a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. These schools are committed to providing nurturing learning environments where every child feels safe, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. Staff work collaboratively to deliver personalised support that enables pupils to succeed both academically and emotionally.

Why Choose Connex Education?

• Competitive daily pay rates
• Weekly PAYE pay – no umbrella companies
• Free access to our Classroom Teacher and SEND Toolkits for professional development
• Career progression opportunities through our professional development pathways
• Wellbeing support and refresher training for modern educational settings
• A dedicated SEND specialist consultant to support your career journey
• Flexible opportunities across SEMH provisions
• Funded formal qualifications including Level 2 SEND, Level 3 Teaching & Learning, Level 4 HLTA, and Level 5 TEFL

All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. Connex Education Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and candidates to share this commitment.

Connex Education Partnership is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.

Connex Education Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and candidates to share this commitment. We adhere to Safer Recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and other relevant legislation. All appointments are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.