SEMH Specialist Teaching Assistant Blackpool

Tradewind Recruitment; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking SEMH Teaching Assistants to support young people in Blackpool facing emotional and mental health barriers. In this rewarding role, you will provide tailored classroom and small-group support, helping students manage their emotions and re-engage in learning. Ideal candidates will have experience working with students aged 11-16 with complex SEMH needs and possess the skills to build trusting relationships. This position offers flexible working hours and a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Access to specialist training (CPD)

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with young people, ages 11-16, with SEMH needs.
• Familiarity with therapeutic approaches such as emotional coaching.
• High levels of patience, resilience, and a positive outlook.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored academic and emotional support to students.
• Implement therapeutic and restorative behaviour policies.
• Support students in developing emotional literacy and self-regulation skills.
• Assist class teacher in adapting learning resources.
• Monitor and report student progress on academic and well-being targets.

Skills

Building professional relationships

Emotional coaching

De-escalation techniques

Patience and resilience

Job description

Are you an experienced and resilient Teaching Assistant with a passion for supporting young people who face significant Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) barriers?

We are seeking dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistants to join our supportive secondary provision in Blackpool. This is an essential role where you will provide crucial classroom and small‑group support, helping students manage their emotions, re‑engage with learning, and achieve their potential. If you thrive in a challenging yet deeply rewarding environment and have experience with therapeutic or restorative approaches, we want to hear from you.

Core Responsibilities: Support and Intervention

• 1:1 and Small Group Support: Provide tailored academic and emotional support to individual students or small groups, particularly those struggling with engagement, anxiety, or low self‑esteem.
• Behaviour Management: Implement the school's therapeutic and restorative behaviour policy, using proactive and de‑escalation strategies to manage challenging situations calmly and effectively.
• Emotional Regulation: Support students in developing their emotional literacy and self‑regulation skills, creating a safe space for ‘calm time’ or necessary breaks when required.
• Learning Access: Assist the class teacher in adapting resources and the learning environment to ensure the curriculum is accessible to all students, regardless of their SEMH needs.
• Reporting: Contribute to monitoring and reporting on student progress, focusing on both academic achievement and well‑being targets (e.g., EHCP goals).

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will be empathetic, patient, and professionally experienced.

• Experience: Proven, recent experience working with young people (ages 11-16) who have complex SEMH needs (e.g., anxiety, ADHD, trauma, attachment difficulties).
• Skills: Strong ability to build professional, trusting relationships quickly and effectively with vulnerable students.
• Approach: Familiarity with therapeutic approaches such as de‑escalation, emotional coaching, or restorative practices is highly desirable.
• Qualities: High levels of patience, resilience, flexibility, and a positive outlook.
• Checks: A current enhanced DBS check (or willingness to apply for one immediately).

Why Join Our Provision in Blackpool?

• Meaningful Impact: Play a direct role in improving the mental health and educational outcomes for young people in the local community.
• Flexible Working: Full‑time and part‑time hours considered to achieve a good work/life balance.
• Supportive Team: Excellent team environment with supportive line management and access to specialist training (CPD) in SEMH.

Apply Today - Start Making a Difference!

If you are available to start in January 2026 or sooner and are ready for a rewarding career supporting SEMH students in Blackpool, please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience to (url removed) or clickm apply.

Interviews are being held on a rolling basis, so please apply promptly.

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