SEMH Teaching Assistant

Tradewind Recruitment LTD.; Huntingdonshire; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

CPD opportunities

National College access

Ongoing support

Specialist education exposure

Longer/permanent opportunities

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in the St Neots area. You will support secondary pupils with SEMH needs, helping them access education and engage with lessons.

The ideal candidate has experience with SEMH, challenging behaviour, or trauma-informed approaches, and can maintain professional boundaries with resilience and compassion.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting secondary pupils with SEMH needs.
• Calm, patient and consistent approach in challenging situations.
• Understanding trauma-informed approaches and building positive relationships.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils with SEMH needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, helping them feel safe, supported and understood.
• Support young people with emotional regulation, self-esteem and developing positive coping strategies.
• Use effective de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviour calmly and confidently.
• Encourage students to re-engage with learning and develop positive attitudes towards education.
• Support pupils in accessing lessons and completing learning activities across the secondary curriculum.
• Promote positive behaviour, clear boundaries and consistent expectations.
• Work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals to support individual student needs.
• Help create a structured, safe and nurturing learning environment.

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant - Secondary School

Location: St Neots, Cambridgeshire

Employer: Tradewind Recruitment

Contract: Full-time, long-term opportunity

Tradewind Recruitment is currently seeking a dedicated, resilient and compassionate SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in the St Neots area. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people who experience social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. You will be supporting secondary-aged pupils who may face challenges with emotional regulation, behaviour, engagement and accessing education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have previous experience working with teenagers with SEMH needs, challenging behaviour or mental health difficulties and who can provide the consistency, patience and positive role modelling these young people need.

The Role

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to secondary-aged pupils with SEMH needs.


• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, helping them feel safe, supported and understood.


• Support young people with emotional regulation, self-esteem and developing positive coping strategies.


• Use effective de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviour calmly and confidently.


• Encourage students to re-engage with learning and develop positive attitudes towards education.


• Support pupils in accessing lessons and completing learning activities across the secondary curriculum.


• Promote positive behaviour, clear boundaries and consistent expectations.


• Work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals to support individual student needs.


• Help create a structured, safe and nurturing learning environment.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has previous experience supporting secondary-aged pupils or teenagers with SEMH needs, mental health difficulties or challenging behaviour.


• Is confident managing challenging situations and supporting young people through periods of emotional distress.


• Understands trauma-informed approaches and the importance of building positive relationships.


• Has a calm, patient and consistent approach, with the ability to maintain professional boundaries.


• Is resilient, adaptable and confident working with young people who may display challenging behaviours.


• Can encourage, motivate and engage students who may have struggled with mainstream education.


• Is passionate about helping vulnerable young people overcome barriers and reach their potential.


• Experience within a secondary SEMH school, alternative provision, specialist setting, residential childcare or youth support service would be particularly beneficial.

Why Work with Tradewind Recruitment?

• Competitive daily rates, dependent on experience.


• Access to free professional development and CPD opportunities.


• Access to the National College following your first day of work.


• A dedicated consultant providing ongoing support throughout your placement.


• Opportunities to gain experience within specialist education settings.


• Potential for longer- and permanent opportunities.

All applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.