SEMH Teaching Assistant

Riley Personnel; Greater London; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Riley Personnel is recruiting an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant for a specialist secondary school in Camden. You will provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and additional needs, helping them engage with lessons and build positive relationships.

The role requires resilience, patience and strong classroom behaviour management. You will work with teachers and support staff across all secondary year groups, adapting your approach to individual pupils and maintaining

Qualifications

• Previous experience working within a SEN setting, specialist school or alternative provision is essential.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs is highly desirable.
• Confident managing challenging behaviour and implementing behaviour management strategies.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Must be available to start immediately and commit to full-time, long-term work.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils with SEMH and additional needs.
• Adapt to supporting different pupils across all secondary year groups, tailoring your approach to individual needs.
• Support pupils in emotional regulation, social development and positive behaviour.
• Implement effective behaviour management strategies and maintain consistent boundaries.
• Confidently manage challenging behaviour and respond appropriately to difficult situations.
• Build positive, professional relationships with pupils to encourage trust and engagement.
• Support pupils in accessing lessons and participating in classroom activities.
• Work alongside teachers and other support staff to implement individual support strategies.
• Encourage positive interactions, independence and improved engagement with education.
• Help maintain a safe, structured and supportive learning environment.

Skills

SEN experience

SEMH support

Behaviour management

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for a confident, resilient and experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in Camden, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

This is a full-time, long-term opportunity for someone who has previous experience working within a SEN setting or specialist provision and is confident supporting pupils with additional needs, including those who may display challenging behaviour.

The successful candidate will work closely with teaching staff and the wider support team to provide consistent, tailored support to secondary-aged pupils, helping them engage with their education, develop positive relationships and manage their social, emotional and behavioural needs.

The school is looking for someone who is proactive, patient and confident maintaining boundaries, implementing behaviour management strategies and responding appropriately to challenging situations. You must be comfortable working across all secondary year groups, as you may be supporting different pupils on different days. The ability to adapt your approach to suit individual students and their needs is therefore essential.

This position would suit an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor or Learning Support Assistant who is looking for a long-term opportunity within a specialist SEMH secondary setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils with SEMH and additional needs.
• Adapt to supporting different pupils across all secondary year groups, tailoring your approach to individual needs.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation, social development and positive behaviour.
• Implement effective behaviour management strategies and maintain consistent boundaries.
• Confidently manage challenging behaviour and respond appropriately to difficult situations.
• Build positive, professional relationships with pupils to encourage trust and engagement.
• Support pupils in accessing lessons and participating in classroom activities.
• Work alongside teachers and other support staff to implement individual support strategies.
• Encourage positive interactions, independence and improved engagement with education.
• Help maintain a safe, structured and supportive learning environment.

Requirements

• Previous experience working within a SEN setting, specialist school or alternative provision is essential.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs is highly desirable.
• Confident managing challenging behaviour and implementing behaviour management strategies.
• Strong understanding of SEN and the additional support pupils may require.
• Confident and adaptable when working with different students across all secondary year groups.
• Resilient, patient and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Confident setting boundaries while maintaining positive relationships with pupils.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Must be available to start immediately and commit to full-time, long-term work.

Why Apply?

• Full-time, long-term opportunity within a specialist SEMH secondary school.
• Immediate start available.
• Valuable experience supporting secondary-aged pupils with complex needs.
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to pupils' educational and personal development.
• Competitive daily rates depending on experience.

If you have previous experience working within a SEN setting, are confident managing challenging behaviour and are passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs, we would love to hear from you.

Safeguarding & DBS
Riley Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks, including references, qualification verification, right to work checks and an Enhanced DBS check, including a Children's Barred List check where applicable. Candidates must complete all required checks before commencing work and undertake safeguarding training as required.