SEMH Teaching Assistant

Five Education; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational support organization in Gloucester is seeking a full-time SEMH Teaching Assistant passionate about improving young people's well-being. The successful candidate will provide tailored support for students, helping them regulate emotionally and build trusting relationships. Experience with trauma-affected youth is desirable. The role involves collaboration with teachers and therapists, ensuring positive engagement in learning. The organization offers free training and a transparent PAYE payroll system, reflecting their commitment to staff welfare.

Benefits

Free specialist training

Recommend a friend bonus scheme

Refunded DBS cost after working 20 days

Guaranteed work scheme for stability

Specialist support and mentoring

Qualifications

• Experience supporting young people affected by trauma or in youth work.
• Calm and patient demeanor essential for dealing with diverse student needs.
• Flexibility to adapt to various age groups and educational settings.

Responsibilities

• Support students with SEMH needs to access learning and daily routines.
• Build positive, consistent relationships using trauma-informed practice.
• Promote emotional wellbeing, social development, and resilience.
• Assist with de-escalation and behaviour support in a calm manner.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and support staff.
• Encourage engagement through restorative approaches.
• Provide feedback to teaching staff on progress and concerns.

Skills

Experience working with young people who have experienced trauma or SEMH needs

Strong communication and relationship-building skills

Calm, patient, and resilient

Flexible to work with a range of ages

Passionate about emotional wellbeing and social development

Able to use initiative and remain composed under pressure

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Location: Bristol
Contract: Full-time
Pay: £90-£110 per day (inclusive of holiday pay)

The School

We are working with an Alternative Provision that supports children and young people who have experienced trauma, ACEs, and barriers to learning. The school operates a restorative and relationship-based approach to behaviour, focusing on emotional regulation, trust, and tailored support. Staff work closely as a team to help students rebuild confidence, engage positively with learning, and develop essential life and social skills.

The Role

We are seeking a full-time SEMH Teaching Assistant who is flexible, confident, and passionate about improving the well‑being and development of young people. You will support students across a range of ages, both in small groups and 1:1. Your role will involve helping pupils to regulate emotionally, access learning, and build healthy, trusting relationships.

This role is ideal for someone with experience supporting young people affected by trauma or who has worked in an AP, youth work, mental health setting, or similar environment.

Main Responsibilities

• Support students with SEMH needs to access learning and daily routines
• Build positive, consistent relationships using trauma‑informed practice
• Promote emotional wellbeing, social development, and resilience
• Assist with de‑escalation and behaviour support in a calm, patient manner
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and support staff
• Encourage engagement through restorative approaches
• Provide feedback to teaching staff on progress and concerns

Essential Criteria

• Experience working with young people who have experienced trauma or SEMH needs
• Calm, patient, and resilient
• Flexible to work with a range of ages
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Passionate about emotional wellbeing and social development
• Able to use initiative and remain composed under pressure

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in an AP, or specialist SEMH setting
• Training in Team Teach, Trauma‑Informed Practice, or similar approaches

What can Five Education offer you?

• Check out our Google reviews for one of the best supply experiences
• Free specialist training (Trauma, Team Teach, Makaton, Autism, Speech and Language, ADHD and more)
• Recommend a friend bonus scheme
• Refunded DBS cost after working 20 days
• Guaranteed work scheme for stability and peace of mind
• Specialist support and mentoring while you are working

Pay

Five Education operates a PAYE payroll – the most transparent way to be paid with no hidden fees such as admin charges or employer's NI. We are also proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer. Please note, pay rate is illustrative and includes holiday pay.

Vetting

Five Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants will undergo checks including reference and TRA checks. If you do not have a non‑voluntary enhanced DBS on the update service, a new DBS will need to be processed at a cost of £62.70, refunded after 20 days of work and once registered to the update service.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, who are currently under‑represented at this level.