SEMH Teaching Assistant

Prospero Teaching; Wigan; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational recruitment agency is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant for a full-time position in Wigan. The role involves providing 1:1 support to secondary-aged pupils with significant emotional and behavioural needs. Ideal candidates will have experience managing challenging behaviour, strong resilience, and excellent communication skills. This rewarding position offers a structured and nurturing environment, aiming to help young individuals engage in their learning effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour.
• Ability to manage complex emotional needs and trauma-informed approaches.
• Willingness to obtain enhanced DBS and child-related references.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 support to a pupil with complex behavioural and emotional needs.
• Build positive relationships with pupils for safety and support.
• Implement behaviour intervention strategies effectively.
• Support pupils during lessons and emotional transitions.
• Collaborate with teachers and external professionals for support plans.
• Encourage social independence and positive decision-making.

Skills

Strong resilience

Patience

Excellent communication

Relationship-building skills

Calm under pressure

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Role Overview

Position: SEMH Teaching Assistant (1:1 Support)

Location: Wigan

Contract Type: Full Time

Rate of Pay: £475.00 - £550.00 per week

Working Hours: 08:30 - 15:30

About the School

Are you a resilient, calm and relationship‑driven practitioner with experience supporting young people who display challenging behaviour?

We are working with a specialist secondary school in Wigan seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 support for pupils with significant SEMH and behavioural needs. The school offers a structured, nurturing and therapeutic environment where pupils benefit from clear boundaries, consistent support and adults who can form meaningful, trusting relationships.

This role is ideal for someone who is confident in managing challenging behaviour, can remain composed under pressure, and is committed to helping young people develop emotional regulation, resilience and engagement in learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored 1:1 support to a secondary‑aged pupil with complex behavioural and emotional needs.
• Build strong, positive relationships to help pupils feel supported, understood and safe.
• Implement behaviour intervention strategies, including de‑escalation, restorative approaches and positive reinforcement.
• Support pupils throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and periods of emotional dysregulation.
• Work closely with teachers, the SENDCo and external professionals to ensure a cohesive, personalised support plan.
• Encourage social skills, independence, self‑regulation and positive decision‑making.

Requirements

• Previous experience working with young people who display challenging behaviour.
• Strong resilience, patience and the ability to stay calm in difficult situations.
• Understanding of SEMH needs and trauma‑informed, therapeutic behaviour approaches.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• A team‑focused attitude and willingness to contribute to a supportive school culture.

Eligibility

• Hold Right to Work in the UK.
• Hold an enhanced child barred list DBS certificate on the update service OR be willing to apply for a new one.
• Provide two professional, child‑related references covering the last two years.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Prospero Teaching is acting as an employment business/education recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. The successful candidate will be required to register and complete all safeguarding and vetting checks. Anyone working with children or vulnerable young people must uphold safeguarding responsibilities at all times.