Semh Teaching Assistant

EmpowerED; Old Warren; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

EmpowerED is recruiting for a Teaching Assistant in Reading to join a nurturing specialist school supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and additional SEND.

This SEMH Teaching Assistant role in Reading would suit someone who understands that behaviour is communication and can build positive, trusting relationships with children who may have experienced significant barriers to learning.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with SEMH or SEND is preferred.
• Ability to build positive relationships and communicate effectively.
• Understanding that behaviour is a form of communication.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils
• Provide individualised support for SEMH and SEND students
• Help pupils regulate emotions and manage challenging situations
• Support access to learning at each pupil's level
• Collaborate with teachers and other specialists
• Utilise calm, consistent approaches to behaviour

Skills

Calm under pressure

Resilience

Patience

Relationship building

Empathy

Job description

EmpowerED is recruiting for a Teaching Assistant in Reading to join a nurturing specialist school supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and additional SEND.

This Teaching Assistant role in Reading would suit someone who understands that behaviour is communication and can build positive, trusting relationships with children who may have experienced significant barriers to learning.

The school provides a structured, nurturing environment where pupils are supported to regulate their emotions, communicate their needs, develop confidence and successfully re-engage with education.

The Teaching Assistant role

As a SEMH Teaching Assistant in Reading, you'll work closely with teachers and other professionals to provide consistent, individualised support.

This isn't a role where you'll simply sit beside a pupil completing worksheets. Relationships are at the heart of the provision.

Your day could involve:

• Building positive and trusting relationships with pupils
• Supporting children with SEMH and additional SEND
• Helping pupils regulate their emotions and manage challenging situations
• Recognising the communication behind behaviour
• Supporting pupils to access learning at their individual level
• Using calm, consistent and considered approaches to behaviour
• Encouraging confidence, resilience and independence
• Supporting social skills and positive peer relationships
• Providing individual and small-group interventions
• Working closely with teachers and specialist professionals

The school also incorporates practical experiences and learning through play alongside carefully scaffolded academic learning.

Who are we looking for?

For this Teaching Assistant vacancy in Reading, we're looking for someone who is calm, resilient, patient and able to connect with children who may initially find it difficult to trust adults or engage with education.

Previous SEMH experience would be fantastic, but relevant experience can come from many different backgrounds, including:

SEMH | Behaviour Support | Youth Work | SEND | Mental Health | Care | Residential Support | Sports Coaching | Mentoring | Alternative Provision

You don't necessarily need to have followed a traditional education career path. Personality and the ability to build relationships matter enormously in this environment.

Why consider this SEMH Teaching Assistant role?

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop genuine specialist experience within SEMH education in Reading.

You'll join an established, close-knit team with access to wider specialist support. The school's current team includes behaviour support, Speech & Language Therapy, Educational Psychology, play therapy and sensory support.

The school describes itself as a nurturing and inclusive community where children are supported within a safe, structured and predictable environment.

Looking for a Teaching Assistant job in Reading?

If you're already working as an SEMH Teaching Assistant in Reading and are ready for your next opportunity, we'd love to speak to you.

Equally, if you have experience supporting children or young people with behaviour, mental health or additional needs and you're considering becoming a Teaching Assistant in Reading, we'd really like to hear from you.

People first. Always.

EmpowerED is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to our full safeguarding and compliance process, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references