Primary SEMH Teaching Assistant

Senploy; Tameside; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay included

Job summary

Cover People are recruiting a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to work within a primary school in Tameside, supporting children who experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

You will work alongside the class teacher and wider school team to help pupils engage with learning, develop emotional regulation and manage the challenges of the school day.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs or challenging behaviour.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence using positive behaviour-management and de-escalation strategies.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in difficult situations.
• Nurturing approach with clear and consistent boundaries.
• Patience, resilience and flexibility.
• Ability to work effectively with teachers and other support staff.
• Genuine commitment to helping children progress emotionally and academically.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Build trusting relationships and provide consistent encouragement.
• Help children recognise and manage their emotions.
• Use positive behaviour strategies to respond to challenging situations.
• Support pupils to engage with lessons and classroom routines.
• Maintain clear boundaries and reinforce expectations.
• Identify potential triggers and help pupils develop coping strategies.
• Encourage positive social interactions and relationships with peers.
• Adapt activities to suit pupils’ access to learning.
• Work with teachers to implement individual support plans and agreed strategies.
• Share observations about pupils’ progress, behaviour and engagement.
• Promote independence, confidence and positive choices.

Skills

SEMH

Behaviour management

Relationship building

De-escalation

Patience

Resilience

Communication

Job description

Primary SEMH Teaching Assistant Location: Tameside Start Date: ASAP Role: School-based support Pay: £95-£120 per day, depending on experience Cover People are recruiting a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to work within a primary school in Tameside, supporting children who experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

This role would suit someone who is patient, resilient and confident helping children manage their emotions, overcome barriers to learning and develop positive relationships.

You will play an important part in creating a structured and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and supported.

Working alongside the class teacher and wider school team, you will help pupils engage with learning, develop emotional regulation and manage the challenges of the school day.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Building trusting relationships and providing consistent encouragement.
• Helping children recognise and manage their emotions.
• Using positive behaviour strategies to respond to challenging situations.
• Supporting pupils to engage with lessons and classroom routines.
• Maintaining clear boundaries and reinforcing expectations.
• Identifying potential triggers and helping pupils develop appropriate coping strategies.
• Encouraging positive social interactions and relationships with peers.
• Adapting activities to help pupils access learning.
• Working with teachers to implement individual support plans and agreed strategies.
• Sharing observations about pupils' progress, behaviour and engagement.
• Promoting independence, confidence and positive choices.

We're looking for a calm, compassionate and proactive Teaching Assistant who understands the importance of consistency when supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs.

You should have:

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs or challenging behaviour.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence using positive behaviour-management and de-escalation strategies.
• The ability to remain calm and professional in difficult situations.
• A nurturing approach alongside clear and consistent boundaries.
• Patience, resilience and flexibility.
• The ability to work effectively with teachers and other support staff.
• A genuine commitment to helping children make progress both emotionally and academically.

Experience in a primary school, specialist provision, PRU or alternative setting would be particularly beneficial.

• Opportunities to work within primary education across Tameside.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference to children's wellbeing and learning.
• Experience supporting pupils with additional social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• The opportunity to develop your SEMH support skills.

All pay rates include
12.07% statutory holiday pay where applicable.

Cover People are acting as an employment business on behalf of these schools.

Successful applicants will be subject to safeguarding and vetting procedures in line with statutory guidance, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Cover People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Jobs are provided by the Find a Job Service from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).