SEMH Teaching Assistant

Hazel Tree Education Recruitment; Skelmersdale; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive rates of pay (12.07% HOL)

Refer-a-friend bonus

Pension contributions

Agency compliance with AWR

Job summary

Hazel Tree Education seeks a proactive Teaching Assistant to support a specialist secondary setting in Skelmersdale. You will provide practical, emotional and educational support to pupils throughout the day, building trusting relationships and acting as a positive role model.

Experience with SEMH and a calm, consistent approach are valued. The role includes 1:1 and small-group work, supporting learning inside and outside the classroom, and close collaboration with teachers and the pastoral team.

Qualifications

• Successful candidates must have an enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service, or be willing to obtain one.
• At least two professional references, including the most recent employer.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with young people.
• Act as a positive role model and demonstrate respectful behaviour.
• Provide SEMH support and assistance for additional needs.
• Deliver 1:1 and small-group support.
• Help pupils engage positively with learning and develop confidence.
• Support pupils to regulate emotions and manage challenging situations.
• Follow individual support strategies and behaviour plans.
• Collaborate with teachers and the pastoral/support team.

Skills

Trusting relationships

Positive behaviour

SEMH experience

1:1 support

Small-group support

Calm and patient

Job description

Hazel Tree Education are looking for a Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary setting in Skelmersdale, supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Full time opportunities for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to young people and become a positive, consistent role model in their lives.

The school is looking for someone who can build trusting relationships, demonstrate positive behaviour and show young people what can be achieved through consistency, resilience, respect and high expectations.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will provide practical, emotional and educational support to pupils throughout the school day.

You will:

Build strong, trusting relationships with young people

Act as a positive role model, demonstrating respectful and appropriate behaviour

Support pupils with SEMH and associated additional needs

Provide 1:1 and small-group support

Encourage pupils to engage positively with learning

Help pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence

Support pupils to regulate their emotions and manage challenging situations

Reinforce positive behaviour, boundaries and expectations

Support pupils both inside and outside the classroom

Get involved in activities and engage positively with pupils

Work closely with teachers and the wider pastoral/support team

Follow individual support strategies and behaviour plans

Provide a calm, consistent and reliable adult presence

This is a hands-on role where your personality, attitude and ability to connect with young people will be just as important as your previous experience.

The Ideal Candidate

The school is looking for someone who can be a strong and positive role model for its pupils.

You will ideally be:

A confident and approachable

Experienced working with children or young people

Ideally experienced within SEMH, SEND, behaviour, pastoral or alternative provision

Calm and consistent when faced with challenging behaviour

Patient, empathetic and non-judgemental

Resilient and able to remain positive during difficult situations

Confident setting clear and appropriate boundaries

Someone who naturally earns the respect and trust of young people

Energetic and willing to get involved

Positive, reliable and dependable

Passionate about helping young people recognise their potential

You don't necessarily need to have worked in a school before. Experience from youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, care, residential settings, support work, the armed forces or other roles where you have supported and guided young people could be highly relevant.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to do more than simply support pupils in lessons.

You will have the opportunity to become a trusted adult and positive influence for young people who may have experienced significant challenges.

The right person will help pupils develop confidence, make positive choices, build resilience and recognise their own potential.

The role starts on a temporary basis through Hazel Tree Education, with the opportunity to move into a permanent position with the setting following a successful temporary period.

Develop Your Skills with Hazel Tree Education

You'll also have access to 70+ free CPD courses through Hazel Tree Education, helping you develop your knowledge and skills throughout your education career.

Courses include SEMH, behaviour management, Autism Awareness, ADHD, trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, children's mental health and SEND.

You will need to be:

Calm and patient

Resilient and emotionally aware

Consistent in your approach

Able to build genuine and trusting relationships with children

Compassionate and non-judgemental

Able to remain calm during difficult or heightened situations

A strong communicator and team player

Passionate about helping children overcome barriers to education

You don't necessarily need to have worked in an SEMH school before. If you have relevant experience and can demonstrate the right attitude, resilience and understanding of children with additional needs, we would be keen to hear from you.

Successful candidates must have:

An enhanced DBS certificate registered on the Update Service, or be willing to obtain one

At least two professional references, including the most recent or current employer

The right to work in the UK

A good standard of literacy and numeracy, with excellent written and verbal communication skills

What Hazel Tree Education can offer you:

Competitive rates of pay – all pay rates quoted are inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay; rates are dependent on experience and teacher pay scale where applicable

A generous refer-a-friend or colleague bonus scheme

Pension contributions, subject to a qualifying period

Full compliance with the Agency Workers’ Regulations (AWR), ensuring fair pay and working conditions

In-house training developed and delivered by a qualified teacher, ensuring relevant and focused support

About Hazel Tree Education

To find out more about Hazel Tree Education and why we are a first-choice agency for education staff and schools, please visit www.hazel-tree.co.uk or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Hazel Tree Education is an education-specific recruitment organisation specialising in short-term, temporary and flexible supply work across mainstream schools and alternative provisions throughout the North West.

Hazel Tree Education, and the settings we work with, are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be expected to uphold professional standards and adhere to safeguarding policies in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

As part of our safer recruitment and due diligence processes, successful applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and may be subject to online searches in accordance with our safeguarding obligations.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.