Sen Teaching Assistant

Principal Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Term-time schedule

Free training in behaviour support

Job summary

Principal Education is recruiting an SEMH Behaviour Mentor for a well established Alternative Provision Academy in Slough, supporting young people with SEMH needs who haven't thrived in mainstream education.

The role involves mentoring, supporting small groups, de-escalation, and facilitating vocational sessions, with a focus on progression into education or training. DBS required or willingness to apply; term-time, school-day timings.

Qualifications

• Experience with SEMH, ADHD, autism or challenging behaviour in schools or related settings.
• Composure, empathy and firm, fair boundaries.
• Resilience and commitment to show up consistently.
• Full-time availability, Monday to Friday, term time.
• Enhanced DBS on Update Service or willingness to apply.
• Right to work in the UK and two professional references.

Responsibilities

• Mentor young people one-to-one and help set and hit goals.
• Support students in small classes to stay engaged and on track.
• Stay calm and de-escalate situations when needed.
• Assist students on practical and vocational sessions.
• Track progress with staff and families and celebrate wins.
• Help rebuild confidence and relationship with learning.

Skills

SEMH experience

Behaviour management

Empathy

Resilience

Clear boundaries

Job description

Most people only ever see one kind of school. This role shows you the whole picture.

Principal Education is recruiting an SEMH Behaviour Mentor for a well established Alternative Provision Academy in Slough, supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs who haven't been able to thrive in mainstream school. Ofsted rated its personal development Outstanding in 2025, and its whole mission is helping young people make positive choices about their future.

The college runs seven programmes across four sites, so this isn't a role where every day looks the same. Alongside its SEMH special school, it runs short term programmes that help Key Stage 3 pupils get back into mainstream, Key Stage 4 programmes for young people who have been excluded, and hands on vocational pathways in construction, motor vehicle and catering. Small groups, skilled staff and a real focus on getting young people into education, employment or training.

The role

As a Behaviour Mentor, you'll be the steady adult a young person needs to turn things around. Depending on the programme you're placed with, your day could include:

• Mentoring young people one to one and helping them set and hit goals
• Supporting students in small classes so they stay engaged and on track
• Staying calm and bringing situations back down when they get heated
• Supporting students on practical and vocational sessions
• Working with staff and families to track progress and celebrate the wins
• Helping young people rebuild their confidence and their relationship with learning

What you MUST demonstrate

• Experience with young people with SEMH, ADHD, autism or challenging behaviour, whether in schools, youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, care or the secure estate
• Composure, empathy and firm, fair boundaries
• Resilience on the tough days and the drive to keep showing up
• Full time availability, Monday to Friday, term time
• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply for one
• Overseas police clearance if you've lived abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years
• Two professional references and the right to work in the UK

Pay and benefits

• £110 to £130 per day depending on experience, paid weekly
• A pupil day that finishes at 2:30pm, and 1pm on Fridays
• Term time only, school holidays off
• Experience across alternative provision, special school and vocational settings, a CV most people in SEMH would kill for
• Free training in behaviour support and safeguarding
• A consultant who meets every candidate personally and backs you throughout the placement