SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization is seeking a SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant in Gateshead. The role involves supporting children with social, emotional, and mental health needs in a calm environment. Ideal candidates should possess strong empathy and patience, with the ability to build trust with pupils. Training will be provided for those without prior SEMH experience. This position offers a competitive daily rate and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Weekly PAYE pay

Free Thrive training and ongoing development

Access to specialist roles in SEMH, SEND, and alternative provisions

Qualifications

• Experience working in schools, youth work, or care.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Experience with SEMH is a plus but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Work closely with teachers and therapists for tailored support.
• Help pupils re-engage with learning on a 1:1 or small group basis.

Skills

Empathy

Patience

People skills

Emotional regulation

Job description

SEMH Primary Teaching Assistant – Gateshead
Full-time | Long-term | £85–£95 per day

Want to be the difference in a child’s day, every single day?

We’re working with a specialist provision in Gateshead that puts respect, resilience, and responsibility at the heart of everything they do. This is a setting for children who’ve faced significant barriers to learning, offering a fresh start in a calm, caring environment.

They’re looking for a patient, proactive Teaching Assistant who can bring consistency, understanding, and the kind of quiet confidence that helps children feel safe.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs

• Encouraging positive behaviour and emotional regulation

• Working closely with teachers and therapists to provide tailored support

• Helping pupils re-engage with learning, often on a 1:1 or small group basis

What we’re looking for:
You’ll need a big heart, a steady hand, and the ability to stay calm when others can’t.
Whether you’ve worked in schools, youth work, or care, it’s your people skills that count, empathy, patience, and a natural ability to build trust.

If you’ve got SEMH experience, brilliant. If not, we’ll support you with training (including our free Thrive course) and on-the-job learning.

Why this role?
This is a genuine chance to join a team that’s making a difference helping pupils develop resilience and skills that last a lifetime. Set in the heart of Gateshead’s community, you’ll be part of a supportive, experienced staff team who work hard and care harder.

With Protocol Education, you’ll get:

• Weekly PAYE pay (no umbrella fees)

• Free Thrive training and ongoing development

• A personal consultant who listens and supports

• Access to specialist roles in SEMH, SEND, and alternative provisions

Sound like your kind of challenge? Apply now — or get in touch for a chat about how you can make a difference.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the 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 FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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