SEMH Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education; Acklam; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Protocol Education are recruiting an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant to join a supportive SEN school from September 2026 on a full-time basis. The successful candidate will support secondary-aged pupils with additional needs, including Autism, ADHD and SEMH, working 1:1 and in small groups to enable access to the curriculum and positive behaviour support.

Full-time start in September 2026. Experience in SEND settings and a calm, patient approach are essential, with a commitment to

Qualifications

• Experience working with secondary-aged pupils in an SEN environment.
• Familiarity with supporting pupils with Autism, ADHD and SEMH.
• Calm, patient, and consistent communication and behaviour strategies.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEN.
• Supporting students with Autism, ADHD, SEMH and other additional needs.
• Helping pupils access the curriculum and overcome barriers to learning.
• Supporting emotional regulation, confidence and positive behaviour.
• Building relationships with pupils and collaborating with teaching staff and SEN team.

Skills

SEN experience

Autism

ADHD

SEMH

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant

Secondary School Full-Time September 2026 Start

We are currently recruiting for an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant to join a supportive SEN school from September 2026 on a full-time basis.

The successful candidate will have experience supporting secondary-aged pupils with additional needs, ideally including Autism (ASC), ADHD and SEMH. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning and develop both academically and personally.

The Role:

As a SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teaching staff and the school's SEN team to provide targeted support to pupils across the secondary age range. You may work on a 1:1 basis, in small groups and within the classroom, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEN
• Supporting students withAutism, ADHD, SEMH and other additional needs
• Helping pupils to access the curriculum and overcome barriers to learning
• Supporting emotional regulation, confidence and positive behaviour
• Building strong, trusting relationships with pupils
• Working alongside teachers and the SENCO to implement individual support strategies
• Encouraging independence and positive engagement with learning
• Supporting students both academically and pastorally

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience working with secondary-aged pupils
• Has strong SEN experience, particularly with Autism, ADHD and/or SEMH
• Is calm, patient and consistent in their approach
• Can build positive relationships with challenging or vulnerable young people
• Is confident supporting pupils on a 1:1 and small-group basis
• Has a genuine passion for supporting young people to achieve their potential
• Works well as part of a wider school and pastoral team

Full-time September 2026 start Secondary SEN experience essential

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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