Secondary SEMH Teaching Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay

Consultant support from Cover People

Work across secondary education in T’.

Job summary

Cover People are recruiting a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to work with secondary-aged pupils in Tameside. This role supports learners with SEMH needs, helping them engage with lessons and develop emotional regulation.

The successful candidate will stay calm under pressure, employ positive behaviour strategies, and work closely with teaching and pastoral teams to implement personalised support plans.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people with SEMH or challenging behaviour.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence using positive behaviour-management and de-escalation strategies.
• Patient, resilient and non-judgemental approach.
• Ability to respond appropriately to challenging situations.
• Ability to encourage positive engagement with learning.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teaching and pastoral teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Build positive relationships and establish trust with pupils.
• Help pupils develop strategies to manage emotions and behaviour.
• Use de-escalation techniques in challenging situations.
• Maintain clear boundaries and reinforce school expectations.
• Encourage attendance and active participation in lessons.
• Support pupils with motivation, social interaction, or emotional regulation.
• Help pupils build confidence, resilience and independence.
• Collaborate with teachers to implement support plans and behaviour strategies.
• Share observations about pupils’ progress with the wider team.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Behaviour management

De-escalation strategies

Empathy with boundaries

Job description

Secondary 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 with secondary-aged pupils in Tameside. This opportunity would suit someone who is confident supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and can help them overcome barriers to learning.

We are looking for a patient, resilient and consistent individual who can build positive relationships with pupils, promote emotional regulation and encourage engagement in education.

The Role

Working alongside teachers and pastoral staff, you will help pupils manage the demands of the school day and participate more positively in learning.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with SEMH needs.

• Building positive relationships and establishing trust with young people.

• Helping pupils develop strategies to manage their emotions and behaviour.

• Using appropriate de-escalation techniques when challenging situations arise.

• Maintaining clear boundaries and reinforcing school expectations.

• Encouraging pupils to attend, participate in and remain engaged with lessons.

• Supporting pupils who struggle with motivation, social interaction or emotional regulation.

• Helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.

• Working with teachers to implement individual support plans and agreed behaviour strategies.

• Sharing observations about pupils' progress and engagement with the wider team.

• Contributing to a safe, structured and inclusive learning environment.

About You

We're looking for someone who can remain calm under pressure and understands the importance of balancing empathy with consistent boundaries.

You should have:

• Experience working with young people with SEMH needs or challenging behaviour.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Confidence using positive behaviour-management and de-escalation strategies.

• A patient, resilient and non-judgemental approach.

• The ability to respond appropriately to challenging situations.

• Confidence encouraging pupils to make positive choices and engage with learning.

• The ability to work collaboratively with teaching and pastoral teams.

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people.

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

Why Work Through Cover People?

• Opportunities to work within secondary education across Tameside.

• The chance to make a positive difference to pupils' wellbeing and engagement.

• Experience supporting young people with additional social, emotional and behavioural needs.

• Opportunity to develop your pastoral and behaviour-support skills.

• Ongoing support from a dedicated Cover People consultant.

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.