SEMH Teaching Assistant

Randstad Education; Burgess Hill; On-site; GBP 16,405 - 17,527; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily rate

Specialist experience

Supportive team environment

Job summary

A leading educational support agency in Burgess Hill is seeking an experienced 1:1 Teaching Assistant for a SEMH school. This full-time role involves providing impactful support to pupils with complex needs, utilizing behaviour management strategies and nurturing relationships. Candidates should have experience with SEMH and demonstrate resilience. The role offers a competitive salary of £88.92 - £95 per day, alongside professional support and the chance to make a significant positive impact on students' lives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with SEMH, EBD, or within a PRU.
• Ability to stay calm and objective under challenging behaviours.
• Willingness to learn new de-escalation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Utilise positive behaviour management strategies to help the pupil.
• Develop a trust-based bond to create a secure learning environment.
• Support the delivery of a bespoke curriculum focused on development.
• Manage challenging behaviours following school policies.
• Work on the student's EHC plan to meet targeted milestones.
• Provide feedback on behavioural trends to SENCO and therapy teams.

Skills

Experience with SEMH

De-escalation skills

Resilience

Trauma-informed understanding

Tools

Team-Teach training

MAPA training

PRICE training

Job description

SEN 1:1 Teaching Assistant | SEMH School Support

Contract Type: Full-time, Temporary

Salary: £88.92 - £95 per day

Start Date: ASAP

The Role: Impactful Support for Complex Needs

Are you a resilient, calm, and empathetic individual with a passion for supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

We are seeking a dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistant to work within a specialised SEMH school setting. This is a challenging yet deeply rewarding role where you will support a pupil who may have experienced trauma, exhibit school refusal, or struggle with emotional regulation. Your mission is to provide a consistent, "safe" presence that allows them to re-engage with learning.

Key Responsibilities

Working as part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team, your day-to-day will include:

• De-escalation & Regulation: Utilising positive behaviour management strategies to help the pupil manage their emotions and stay regulated.

• Relationship Building: Developing a strong, trust-based bond to help the student feel secure and valued within the school environment.

• Nurturing Curriculum: Supporting the delivery of a bespoke curriculum that balances academic learning with social and emotional development.

• Crisis Intervention: Safely managing challenging behaviours in line with school policy and training (e.g., Team-Teach or Price).

• Targeted Implementation: Working directly with the student's EHC plan to meet specific social and emotional milestones.

• Reporting: Providing detailed feedback on triggers, successes, and behavioural trends to the SENCO and therapy teams.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a candidate with "thick skin" and a big heart who meets the following criteria:

• Experience: Proven experience working with SEMH, EBD (Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties), or within a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit).

• Resilience: The ability to remain calm and objective when faced with challenging verbal or physical behaviours.

• Trauma-Informed: An understanding of how mental health and past experiences impact a child's ability to learn.

• Training: Valid de‑escalation training (e.g., Team-Teach, MAPA, or PRICE) is highly desirable, though a willingness to learn is essential.

• Personality: Proactive, non‑judgemental, and possessing a great sense of humor‑vital for building rapport in this setting.

What We Offer

• Competitive Daily Rate: £88.92 - £95 per day.

• Specialist Experience: Gain invaluable experience in a therapeutic educational environment.

• Supportive Team: Work alongside trauma‑informed practitioners and SEN specialists.

• Immediate Impact: The opportunity to be the positive turning point in a young person's educational journey.

How to Apply

If you have the resilience and heart to support our students, please contact Hannah Joyner to submit your application:

• Email: [e-mail]

• Phone: [phone]

Randstad and our partner schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.