SEMH Teaching Assistant

Prospero Teaching; Preston; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive SEMH training

Behaviour management training

Supportive specialist staff

Job summary

Prospero Teaching in Preston seeks a confident SEMH Teaching Assistant to support secondary pupils with SEMH and related needs at a specialist school in Preston. The role includes 1:1 mentoring, small-group interventions, and classroom support.

You will help pupils manage emotions, de-escalate situations, and develop healthier patterns of behaviour. This full-time post offers extensive SEMH training and a September start, with up to £600 per week.

Qualifications

• Experience SEMH or challenging behaviour desirable.
• Experience in SEN, PRUs, youth work, residential care, support work, sports coaching, or mentoring welcomed.
• Confident and authoritative while maintaining an empathetic approach.
• Resilient and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Genuine passion for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for pupils with SEMH, ADHD, Autism, and related needs.
• Deliver 1:1 mentoring, small-group interventions, and classroom support.
• Use de-escalation strategies to manage challenging behaviour and maintain positive routine.

Skills

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Calm under pressure

De-escalation

Education

Psychology graduates encouraged

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant (VR/1035097) City of Preston, England

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Specialist SEMH School – Preston – Up to £600 per week – Full-Time – September Start

Are you confident working with young people who can present challenging behaviour?

Do you have the resilience, strong personality, and emotional intelligence needed to establish clear boundaries while building positive relationships?

A specialist SEMH school in Preston is seeking a confident and committed SEMH Teaching Assistant to support secondary-aged pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and associated behavioural challenges.

This is a demanding but extremely rewarding environment. The school is looking for candidates who understand that challenging behaviour is often a form of communication and who can remain calm, consistent, and professional when pupils become dysregulated.

The Role – SEMH Teaching Assistant

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will support pupils with needs including SEMH, ADHD, Autism, attachment difficulties, trauma-related needs, and challenging behaviour.

Working through 1:1 mentoring, small-group interventions, and classroom support, you will help pupils manage their emotions, engage with education, and develop more positive patterns of behaviour.

Behaviour management will form a significant part of the role. You will use established strategies to de-escalate challenging situations, maintain clear expectations, and support pupils in developing healthier ways of communicating and regulating their emotions.

What’s on Offer

• Up to £600 per week
• Full-time, long-term SEMH Teaching Assistant role
• September start
• Extensive SEMH and behaviour management training
• Supportive and experienced specialist staff team
• Excellent experience for careers in psychology, youth justice, social work, mental health, or SEN education

Ideal Candidate – SEMH Teaching Assistant

• Previous SEMH or challenging behaviour experience highly desirable
• Experience in SEN, PRUs, youth work, residential care, support work, sports coaching, or mentoring welcomed
• Confident and authoritative while maintaining an empathetic approach
• Resilient and able to remain calm under pressure
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Psychology graduates and related degree holders encouraged to apply
• Genuine passion for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people

This SEMH Teaching Assistant position is suited to someone who wants a hands-on role where they can have a genuine impact. You will help pupils overcome significant barriers, rebuild their relationship with education, and develop the emotional and social skills required for greater independence in adulthood.

SEMH Teaching Assistant – Preston Specialist SEMH School – Up to £600 per week

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