SEMH Behaviour TA

Classroom Support; Royal Borough of Greenwich; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Classroom Support in Greenwich is seeking a confident Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour. The role centers on building positive relationships and providing structured, consistent support to help pupils engage in learning.

You’ll collaborate with teachers and SENCOs, delivering targeted 1:1 and small-group support, implementing behaviour plans and routines. A calm, resilient approach is essential to help pupils regulate emotions and stay safe in school.

Qualifications

• Strong behaviour management skills to handle challenging situations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Patience and empathy to support pupils with SEMH needs.
• Ability to establish boundaries and maintain consistent expectations.
• Calm, resilient approach when faced with aggression or dysregulation.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
• Implement behaviour management strategies and individual behaviour support plans.
• Set clear boundaries and maintain consistent expectations throughout the school day.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation, de-escalation and managing difficult situations.
• Respond calmly and confidently to challenging, disruptive or aggressive behaviour.
• Build positive relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Encourage positive choices, engagement and participation in learning.
• Support pupils through transitions, changes in routine and potentially challenging situations.
• Identify behavioural triggers and communicate observations to teaching staff.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and other professionals to ensure consistent support.

Skills

Behaviour management

Communication

Teamwork

Patience

Empathy

Calm under pressure

Job description

A welcoming school in Greenwich is seeking a confident, resilient and dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and challenging behaviour. This role would suit someone who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning and can provide structured, consistent support while building positive relationships.

The successful candidate will be confident managing challenging situations, setting clear boundaries and maintaining expectations, while ensuring pupils feel safe, supported and understood.

The pupils you'll support

You’ll work with children and young people with SEMH needs, emotional regulation difficulties and behavioural challenges. Some pupils may have additional needs, including ASD, ADHD, EHCPs and complex behavioural profiles.

The role may involve supporting pupils who display challenging, disruptive, aggressive or unpredictable behaviour and who require consistent 1:1 support to engage safely and positively within the school environment.

You’ll take time to understand each pupil's individual triggers, needs and behaviour plans, helping them develop emotional regulation, positive relationships and greater independence.

What you’ll do

Working alongside teachers, the SENCO and other support staff, you’ll:

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
• Implement behaviour management strategies and individual behaviour support plans.
• Set clear boundaries and maintain consistent expectations throughout the school day.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation, de-escalation and managing difficult situations.
• Respond calmly and confidently to challenging, disruptive or aggressive behaviour.
• Build positive relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Encourage positive choices, engagement and participation in learning.
• Support pupils through transitions, changes in routine and potentially challenging situations.
• Identify behavioural triggers and communicate observations to teaching staff.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and other professionals to ensure consistent support.

Who would suit this role?

We’re particularly interested in candidates with experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs, challenging behaviour or emotional regulation difficulties.

Experience in specialist SEN schools, PRUs, alternative provisions, mainstream schools with additional behavioural support, residential care or youth support settings would be highly beneficial.

You’ll need to demonstrate:

• Strong behaviour management skills and confidence handling challenging situations.
• The ability to establish and maintain clear, appropriate boundaries.
• A calm, resilient and consistent approach, particularly when faced with aggression or emotional dysregulation.
• Patience, empathy and the ability to build positive relationships without compromising expectations.
• Confidence following behaviour plans and school procedures.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A genuine commitment to helping pupils develop positive behaviours and achieve their potential.

What the role offers

• A full‑time opportunity in Greenwich.
• Competitive pay of £95-£97 per day, depending on experience.
• Valuable experience supporting pupils with SEMH and challenging behaviour.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to pupils’ educational and personal development.
• Support from experienced school staff.
• Ongoing guidance from a dedicated education consultant.

Progress in this role may mean helping a pupil regulate their emotions, return to learning following a challenging situation, develop trust or make more positive behavioural choices.

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you’ll play an important role in providing the structure, consistency and positive relationships pupils need to feel safe, manage their behaviour and access education.