SEMH Teaching Assistant

Talent Education; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational staffing agency in Rochdale is seeking a Secondary SEMH Teaching Assistant to support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This temp-to-perm role involves working in small class sizes, implementing de-escalation strategies, and helping pupils engage in learning. Ideal candidates will possess resilience, patience, and the ability to build trusting relationships with students. Experience with SEMH is beneficial, but not mandatory.

Benefits

Training from experienced SEMH professionals

Supportive staff team

Manageable class sizes

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH is helpful but not essential.
• Ability to remain calm during challenging behaviours.
• Comfortable setting boundaries and reinforcing expectations.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils during lessons and individual sessions.
• Act as a trusted mentor and reliable adult presence.
• Work closely with teaching and pastoral teams.

Skills

Resilience

Patience

Relationship building

De-escalation strategies

Confidence with young people

Job description

Secondary SEMH Teaching Assistant – Rochdale

Start ASAP

Are you looking for a role where you can truly make an impact? We’re recruiting a Secondary SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive specialist setting in Rochdale, working with pupils who need someone who is patient and is a positive role model.

The Role

This position is to start ASAP, and will be on is a temp-to-perm position supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. You’ll work both in the classroom and 1:1, helping students manage emotions, engage in learning, and develop positive routines.

Class sizes are small, allowing you to build strong relationships and provide the tailored support each student needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils during lessons and individual sessions
• Using calm and consistent de‑escalation strategies
• Acting as a trusted mentor and reliable adult presence
• Setting firm, clear boundaries
• Remaining resilient and professional during incidents, including verbal aggression
• Working closely with the teaching and pastoral teams

What We’re Looking For

• Someone resilient, patient, and unflappable
• Able to remain calm and non‑reactive during challenging behaviours
• Confident at building relationships with young people
• Comfortable setting boundaries and reinforcing expectations
• Experience with SEMH is helpful but not essential

This role is well suited to people with transferable skills, such as:

• Youth work
• Sports coaching
• Psychology graduate
• Support or care roles
• Behaviour mentoring
• Security roles with a people‑centred approach

Why Join This School?

• Supportive and experienced staff team
• Small, manageable class sizes
• Training and guidance from experienced SEMH professionals
• A role where you can genuinely change a young person’s life trajectory

If you’re ready for a challenging but incredibly rewarding role, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch for more details.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Application question(s):

• Do you have a notice period to give?
• Are you comfortable working with very challenging behaviours?

Talent Education work across Greater Manchester, placing teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists, support staff, and leadership positions. Our goal is always to match the right person to the right role. We are rooted in the local community and specialise solely in education. Our personalised approach, long‑term support, and commitment to both schools and candidates set us apart.