SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education staffing agency is seeking a passionate SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant in Bury St Edmunds, England. The role involves providing tailored support to pupils aged 5-11 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs. Ideal candidates should have a calm demeanor and experience in SEMH or behavioral needs. Teaching Personnel offers competitive pay, dedicated support, and opportunities for long-term placements, making this a rewarding role for those looking to make a difference in children's lives.

Benefits

Competitive weekly pay via PAYE

Dedicated SEN consultant support

Free training on SEMH and safeguarding

Potential for permanent positions

Supportive school environments

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs.
• Ability to manage challenging behavior positively.
• Eagerness to learn and develop in a specialist SEMH setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Support emotional regulation, behavior, and engagement in learning.
• Implement behavior support strategies.

Skills

Experience with SEMH, behavioral needs

Calm and resilient demeanor

Strong communication skills

Teamwork capabilities

Job description

Overview

SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant

Location: Bury, Greater Manchester
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Full-time, Long-term (Temp to Perm opportunities available)

Teaching Personnel are working in partnership with a supportive SEMH primary provision in the Bury area to recruit a compassionate and resilient Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 5–11 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The school provides a nurturing, structured and trauma-informed environment for pupils who may struggle with emotional regulation, behaviour, anxiety and engagement with learning. Class sizes are small allowing staff to build strong, trusting relationships and deliver personalised support.

This role is ideal for individuals who are patient, motivated and eager to develop experience within SEMH and specialist education.

The Role Will Involve

• Providing 1:1 and small group support to pupils with SEMH needs
• Supporting emotional regulation, behaviour and engagement in learning
• Implementing behaviour support strategies and individual plans
• Working closely with the class teacher, SENCO and pastoral staff
• Supporting pupils during lessons, transitions and unstructured times
• Helping to maintain a calm, safe and inclusive learning environment
• Assisting with classroom preparation and daily routines

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has experience working with children with SEMH, behavioural or additional needs (school-based or transferable experience welcomed)
• Is calm, patient, resilient and emotionally aware
• Can manage challenging behaviour positively and consistently
• Has strong communication and teamwork skills
• Is eager to learn and develop within a specialist SEMH setting

Previous SEMH or school experience is desirable but not essential — a positive attitude, commitment and willingness to learn are key.

Why Work with Teaching Personnel?

• Competitive weekly pay via PAYE
• Dedicated SEN consultant support
• Free access to SEMH, behaviour management and safeguarding training
• Long-term placements with potential for permanent roles
• Supportive school environments with experienced staff

Safeguarding Requirements

• Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal checks may be required where applicable

If you are passionate about supporting primary-aged pupils with SEMH needs and are looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

If you are interested in this role and meet the requirements above, please apply with an up-to-date CV that highlights relevant experience and qualifications.

When applying through Teaching Personnel, an enhanced DBS on the update service is a required document. If you do not have one already, you will be asked to apply for one through Teaching Personnel before you are able to start in a position.

Any applicants that have been out of the UK for more than 3 months over the past 5 years will be asked to provide an overseas criminal clearance check. If you do not already have one of these, please apply for this before applying to this role

All applicants must have a permanent residence and right to work in the UK. If you are currently based in another country, please do not apply for these roles as we will not be able to process your application.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education” this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.

For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.