SEMH Teaching Assistant

five; Newport; On-site; GBP 18,450 - 20,295; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and professional development

Small class sizes

Opportunity to make a genuine difference

Job summary

five in Newport is hiring SEMH Teaching Assistants to support students in a new independent provision. The role involves assisting young people aged 11-14 with SEMH needs in a non-traditional educational environment.

Candidates should have experience with SEMH, be resilient, and possess a full UK driving licence. This rewarding role offers the chance to make a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable young people.

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting children with SEMH or challenging behaviours.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative.
• Comfortable in a non-traditional educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Support young people with SEMH and additional learning needs.
• Work alongside pupils during online and face-to-face learning.
• Provide emotional support and positive role modelling.

Skills

Experience with SEMH

Resilience

Relationship-focused

Education

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Job Details

• Contact Email: [e-mail]
• Job Type: Permanent
• Location: Newport
• Salary: Negotiable
• Start Date: Tue 1st Sep 2026
• Contact Name: Bella Worboys
• Contact Phone: [phone]

Job Description

Location: Dragons RFC, Corporation Rd, Newport NP19 0BH

Hours: Full Time, Monday‑Friday (8:30am – 3:30pm)

Contract: Permanent (temp‑to‑perm)

Salary: £100 – £110 per day (including holiday pay)

We are recruiting SEMH Teaching Assistants to join an exciting new independent specialist provision opening in Newport. Working in partnership with the local community and supported by strong links with the Gwent Dragons, this innovative setting has been created to support young people aged 11‑14 who are currently unable to access mainstream education due to trauma, SEMH needs and other ALN/SEND. This provision is intentionally small, allowing staff to build meaningful relationships and deliver truly personalised support.

The school will also have access to its own clinical therapy team and will combine trauma‑informed practice with innovative learning approaches to help young people re‑engage with education and thrive.

The Role

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils both academically and emotionally. You will work alongside students as they access online learning programmes for English, Maths and Science. You will then deliver the wider curriculum activities with the support of the team. This rewarding work will help young people feel valued and understood. This is not a traditional classroom role. Building positive relationships will be at the heart of everything you do.

Your Responsibilities

• Supporting young people with SEMH and additional learning needs
• Working alongside pupils during online and face‑to‑face learning sessions
• Providing encouragement, emotional support, and positive role modelling
• Supporting community‑based learning and off‑site activities
• Assisting with student engagement outside the classroom environment
• Conducting outreach work and supporting home engagement where required
• Helping create a strong sense of belonging and community for every learner
• Transporting and collecting students when necessary (business insurance will be arranged for you)

Working Pattern

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: On‑site provision

Wednesday: Community‑based activities, educational outings, sports engagement, outdoor learning, or home support visits

Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm (30‑minute unpaid lunch)

About You

We are looking for individuals who are:

• Experienced in supporting children or young people with SEMH, SEND/ALN, or challenging behaviours
• Resilient, patient, and relationship‑focused
• Passionate about alternative education and trauma‑informed practice
• Comfortable working in a non‑traditional educational setting
• Confident supporting pupils both on‑site and in the community
• Able to work independently and use initiative
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle

Desirable

• Experience within alternative provisions, PRUs, special schools, youth work, residential care, or outreach services
• Team Teach, PRICE, or other positive behaviour support training
• Experience supporting vulnerable or disengaged learners

What We Offer

• Opportunity to join a brand‑new provision from its launch phase
• Small class sizes and high staff‑to‑student ratios
• Training and professional development opportunities (Team Teach training provided)
• A clear temp‑to‑perm pathway of 20 5‑day weeks
• The chance to make a genuine difference to young people

If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and want to be part of an innovative provision that puts relationships, wellbeing and outcomes first, we want to hear from you.

Additional Information

Pay: Five Education operates a PAYE payroll; this is the most transparent way to be paid with no hidden fees such as admin fee or employer's NI. Please note pay rate is for illustration and does include holiday pay.

Vetting: Five Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all of the staff we employ to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo checks including reference checks, TRA checks and will need to have a DBS; there will also be an interview.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as they are currently under‑represented at this level.

Contact Bella on 0117 422 6167 / [e-mail]