Semh Teaching Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Arundel; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel is seeking a Behaviour Teaching Assistant for an alternative provision setting in Littlehampton, supporting secondary pupils with SEMH needs. The role requires a calm, patient, and resilient approach, with close collaboration to help students regulate behaviour and stay engaged in learning.

The position offers a long-term full-time opportunity, with competitive daily pay and ongoing CPD opportunities through Teaching Personnel.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in education, youth work or support settings.
• Experience supporting challenging behaviour or SEMH needs.
• Calm, patient and resilient approach with clear boundaries.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Genuine desire to help young people overcome barriers.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils.
• Support pupils with behavioural, emotional and social needs.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students.
• Help manage challenging behaviour using positive strategies.
• Support pupils to engage with lessons and remain focused.
• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Work closely with teachers and the wider support team.
• Help pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Maintain a calm, structured and supportive learning environment.

Skills

Youth work experience

Education setting

Behaviour management

Communication skills

Resilience

Calm under pressure

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant Teaching Personnel Littlehampton, West Sussex, England

Behaviour Teaching Assistant – Alternative Provision

Location: Littlehampton
Phase: Secondary
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-time / Long-term
Salary: Competitive daily rate

Are you passionate about supporting young people and helping them overcome barriers to learning?

We are currently seeking a resilient and enthusiastic Behaviour Teaching Assistant to join an alternative provision setting in Littlehampton, supporting secondary-aged pupils who may have experienced challenges within mainstream education.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is confident managing challenging behaviour, building positive relationships and providing young people with the consistency and encouragement they need to succeed.

The Role

As a Behaviour Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider pastoral team to support pupils both academically and emotionally. You will play an important role in helping students regulate their behaviour, engage with learning and develop the skills they need for the future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils
• Supporting pupils with behavioural, emotional and social needs
• Building strong, trusting relationships with students
• Helping to manage challenging behaviour using positive and consistent strategies
• Supporting pupils to engage with lessons and remain focused
• Encouraging positive behaviour and emotional regulation
• Working closely with teachers and the wider support team
• Helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence
• Maintaining a calm, structured and supportive learning environment

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Experience working with young people, particularly in an education, youth work or support setting
• Experience supporting challenging behaviour or SEMH needs
• A calm, patient and resilient approach
• The confidence to establish clear boundaries and maintain consistency
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to remain calm under pressure
• A genuine desire to help young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential

Experience within an alternative provision, SEMH, SEN, youth work or similar setting is highly desirable. However, transferable experience will also be considered.

Why Apply?

• Long-term opportunity within a supportive alternative provision
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's lives
• Work within a specialist setting with experienced staff
• Competitive daily rates
• Support from an experienced education recruitment consultant
• Access to CPD and training opportunities

If you are passionate about supporting young people, confident managing behaviour and looking for a rewarding role outside of mainstream education, we would love to hear from you.

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.