SEMH Teaching Assistant — Calm, Supportive Mentor

TipTopJob; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Referral bonus

Love2shop voucher

Job summary

Randstad Education is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs across local secondary and specialist provision schools in Cambridge. This full-time role focuses on building trust, regulating emotions, and helping students re-engage with learning.

The ideal candidate will bring resilience, empathy, and strong boundaries, with experience in SEMH settings or related roles. An Enhanced DBS and UK Right to Work are required.

Qualifications

• Grounded, proactive SEMH Teaching Assistant with strong boundaries and high emotional intelligence.
• Experience as SEMH Teaching Assistant, youth worker, behaviour support specialist, residential care worker, or mentor is highly advantageous.
• Familiar with de-escalation techniques (e.g., Team Teach, MAPA) desirable but not essential.
• Calm, resilient, and patient attitude with the ability to maintain composure under pressure.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and trauma-informed support practices.
• Holds an Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service (or readiness to process one).
• Mandatory UK Right to Work (no visa sponsorship available).

Responsibilities

• Targeted 1:to:1 mentoring: provide academic and emotional guidance, breaking down tasks to prevent frustration.
• De-escalation and emotional regulation: use calm communication and positive reinforcement.
• Promote social and life skills: guide pupils in positive relationships and conflict resolution.
• Support classroom integration: help keep pupils focused and re-engaged during lessons.
• Track growth and wellbeing: maintain daily observational logs and collaborate with SENCO and support workers.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Boundaries

Empathy

Calm under pressure

Safeguarding

Job description

Randstad Education is seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs across local secondary and specialist provision schools in Cambridge. This full-time role focuses on building trust, regulating emotions, and helping students re-engage with learning.

The ideal candidate will bring resilience, empathy, and strong boundaries, with experience in SEMH settings or related roles. An Enhanced DBS and UK Right to Work are required.