SEMH Teaching Assistant

Balfor Recruitment; Oldbury; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily rate

Job summary

Balfor Recruitment is seeking an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs. The role is based in Oldbury, West Midlands, starting September 2026.

You will work in a specialist SEMH secondary school with Years 7–11 students, supporting emotional regulation, resilience and engagement while collaborating with teachers and pastoral teams.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
• Experience in SEMH school, AP/PRU or specialist setting is desirable.
• Ability to provide 1:1 and small-group pupil support within Year 7–11.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Support pupils aged 11–16 within a specialist SEMH secondary school.
• Assist in behaviour management and pastoral support strategies.
• Develop pupils' social, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff to identify needs.
• Adapt lessons and resources to meet individual requirements.

Skills

SEMH experience

1:1 & small-group support

Behaviour management

De-escalation techniques

Education

Level 2 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Degree in Psychology, Education or related subject

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Job Role: SEMH Teaching Assistant
Location: Oldbury, West Midlands
Contract: Ongoing, Full-Time
Start Date: September 2026
Salary: £95–£100 per day

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Are you an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant looking for a new opportunity in Oldbury, West Midlands? Do you have experience supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, challenging behaviour, behavioural needs or additional learning needs?

Balfor Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant / SEMH TA to join a specialist SEMH secondary school in Oldbury from September 2026.

This full-time, ongoing SEMH Teaching Assistant role is ideal for candidates with previous experience in SEMH schools, Alternative Provision (AP), Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), specialist education, behaviour support or pastoral education.

The successful candidate will have experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour, emotional regulation difficulties and barriers to learning, alongside a strong understanding of positive behaviour management and de-escalation strategies.

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant in Oldbury, you will work alongside teachers, pastoral staff, SENCOs and the wider school team to provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils in Years 7–11.

You will support students to access education, manage their emotions, develop positive behaviour, improve engagement, build resilience and develop essential social and life skills.

This opportunity would suit an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant, SEMH TA, Behaviour Mentor, Behaviour Support Assistant, PRU Teaching Assistant, Alternative Provision Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant.

About the SEMH School

The school is a specialist SEMH secondary school in Oldbury supporting pupils in Years 7–11 with a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. It provides a safe, structured, nurturing and inclusive learning environment designed to help pupils overcome barriers to education and achieve their academic, social and emotional potential.

The school places a strong emphasis on positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing, pastoral support, resilience and personal development, ensuring pupils receive the consistency and encouragement they need to succeed.

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting pupils who may experience:

• Challenging or disruptive behaviour
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• SEMH needs
• Low engagement with education
• Barriers to learning
• Social and communication difficulties
• Difficulties managing emotions and relationships

You will become an important member of the school’s education, pastoral and behaviour support team, helping pupils build positive relationships, improve behaviour and engagement, and successfully access learning.

Key Responsibilities – SEMH Teaching Assistant

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant / SEMH TA, you will:

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Support pupils aged 11–16 / Years 7–11 within a specialist SEMH secondary school.
• Support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and challenging behaviour.
• Act as a Behaviour Mentor and positive role model for pupils.
• Support emotional regulation, resilience and positive behaviour.
• Help pupils develop appropriate social, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Build positive, trusting and consistent relationships with pupils.
• Act as a key adult and provide appropriate pastoral and emotional support.
• Work closely with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff to identify individual pupil needs.
• Support pupils who experience barriers to learning and difficulties engaging with education.
• Adapt and modify lessons, learning resources and classroom activities to meet individual needs.
• Help pupils access the curriculum and participate positively in classroom learning.
• Support the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) and risk assessments.
• Promote positive behaviour and maintain a calm, structured, safe and inclusive learning environment.
• Use appropriate behaviour management, positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
• Respond appropriately and professionally to challenging behaviour and difficult situations.
• Follow school policies relating to behaviour, safeguarding, risk management and pupil wellbeing.
• Monitor and record pupil progress, behaviour, engagement and development.
• Provide regular feedback to teachers, pastoral staff and relevant professionals.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, pastoral teams, families and external agencies.
• Support pupils to develop confidence, independence, resilience and essential life skills.

Requirements – SEMH Teaching Assistant

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Previous experience as an SEMH Teaching Assistant, SEMH TA, PRU Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor or Behaviour Support Assistant – Essential.
• Experience working in an SEMH school, Alternative Provision, PRU, specialist school or similar education setting – Essential.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
• Previous experience providing 1:1 and small-group pupil support.
• Strong understanding of behaviour management and positive behaviour support.
• Experience using de-escalation and conflict-management techniques.
• A Level 2 or Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning, or equivalent – desirable.
• A degree in Psychology, Education or a related subject – desirable.
• A patient, nurturing and empathetic approach to supporting young people.
• The ability to remain calm, consistent and resilient when dealing with challenging behaviour.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships with pupils who may have experienced difficulties or barriers within education.
• Adaptability when working with pupils with complex and varied needs.
• A genuine passion for SEMH education, behaviour support, Alternative Provision and helping young people achieve their potential.

What You’ll Get in Return

• Competitive daily rate of £95–£100 per day.
• Ongoing, full-time SEMH Teaching Assistant work.
• September 2026 start.
• The opportunity to work in a specialist SEMH secondary school in Oldbury.
• Experience supporting pupils across Years 7–11.
• Valuable experience within SEMH, Alternative Provision, behaviour support and specialist education.
• The opportunity to develop your experience in behaviour management, pastoral support, emotional regulation and 1:1 intervention.
• Ongoing support from an experienced education recruitment consultant.
• Access to further SEMH Teaching Assistant, PRU, Behaviour Mentor, SEN and education support jobs through Balfor Recruitment.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the education, wellbeing, confidence and development of young people.

We are committed to Safer Recruitment and all appointments are subject to appropriate vetting, including a DBS check.

Balfor Recruitment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.