SEMH Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education; Thornley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly PAYE pay

CPD Academy access

Dedicated consultant

Long-term roles

Behaviour/pastoral development

Job summary

Protocol Education is working with a specialist SEMH provision in Middlesbrough, seeking a confident Teaching Assistant to join their team. You will support pupils with SEMH and SEND needs, helping them stay engaged and progress at their own pace.

The role is about building trusting relationships, staying calm under pressure, and collaborating with teachers and pastoral staff to create a stable, supportive environment where every breakthrough matters.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH, SEND or challenging behaviour in schools or similar settings.
• Calm, patient, and consistent in challenging situations.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with pupils and support re-engagement with education.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH needs and manage emotions.
• De-escalate situations and refocus students.
• Work 1:1 or in small groups to support learning and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals.
• Be a consistent, calm, and reliable presence throughout the day.

Skills

SEMH experience

SEND experience

Calm under pressure

Relationship building

Job description

This role isn't easy — but it is incredibly rewarding.

If you understand that challenging behaviour often comes from unmet needs… If you can stay calm, patient, and consistent when others might step back… And if you're motivated by seeing real, hard-earned progress…

Then this could be the role that truly makes a difference — for both you and the pupils you support.

Protocol Education is working with a specialist SEMH provision in Middlesbrough, looking for a confident and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join their team.

What makes this role stand out?

This isn't about ticking boxes or sticking rigidly to lesson plans.

It's about:

• Building trusting relationships with pupils who may have struggled in mainstream settings
• Creating a sense of stability, safety, and routine
• Supporting young people to re-engage with education at their own pace
• Here, every breakthrough matters — no matter how small it might seem.

What your day could look like:

• Supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs
• Helping students manage emotions, de-escalate situations, and refocus
• Working 1:1 or in small groups to support both learning and wellbeing
• Collaborating with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals
• Acting as a consistent, calm, and reliable presence throughout the day

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience with SEMH, SEND, or challenging behaviour (school or alternative settings)
• Remains calm and patient, even in high-pressure situations
• Can build strong, positive relationships with pupils
• Has resilience, empathy, and a genuine passion for supporting young people
• Brings a sense of humour and perspective — every day is different!

Why work with Protocol Education?

• Weekly PAYE pay — no umbrella companies
• Free access to our CPD Academy (including SEMH-focused training)
• A dedicated consultant who supports you throughout
• Long-term roles in specialist, supportive settings
• Opportunities to develop skills in behaviour and pastoral support

Important Information:

All applicants must have (or be willing to obtain):

• An enhanced DBS check (with Update Service subscription)
• Relevant experience or qualifications for the role

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All candidates will be subject to safeguarding checks in line with DfE guidance, including an online search as part of our due diligence.

This is a temporary role, with the potential to become permanent for the right candidate.

Ready to make an impact where it really counts?

If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely change lives — and grow your own skills in the process — we'd love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website