SEN Teaching Assistant - Leeds

Just Teachers Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Justteachers in Leeds is seeking a SEND Teaching Assistant to join a supportive PRU on a long-term basis, starting immediately. This full-time role supports secondary-aged pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs in a trauma-informed setting.

You will work closely with teachers and pastoral staff to deliver personalised learning programmes, apply de-escalation strategies, and help pupils reintegrate into education.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications in education, childcare, youth work, or support work.
• Proven experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs, ideally within a PRU or alternative provision setting.
• Strong knowledge of behaviour management, de-escalation, and trauma-informed practices.
• Resilience, patience, and the ability to build rapport with challenging or vulnerable learners.
• Two professional references, ideally from education or support-based settings.

Responsibilities

• Supporting students with SEMH and behavioural needs to engage in learning and reintegrate into education
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced barriers to mainstream schooling
• Implementing behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and restorative approaches
• Supporting the delivery of personalised learning programmes tailored to individual needs
• Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals to promote student progress and wellbeing

Skills

Behaviour management

De-escalation

Trauma-informed practices

Rapport building

Resilience

Education

Relevant qualifications in education/childcare/youth work or support work

Job description

About the role:

Justteachers is seeking a SEND Teaching Assistant to join a supportive Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in the Leeds area on a long-term basis.

This full-time role is available to start immediately, with shortlisting currently underway. The setting provides a structured, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment for secondary-aged pupils who require alternative provision due to behavioural, social, emotional, or mental health needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting students with SEMH and behavioural needs to engage in learning and reintegrate into education
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced barriers to mainstream schooling
• Implementing behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and restorative approaches
• Supporting the delivery of personalised learning programmes tailored to individual needs
• Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals to promote student progress and wellbeing

Pre-requisites:

• Relevant qualifications in education, childcare, youth work, or support work
• Proven experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs, ideally within a PRU or alternative provision setting
• Strong knowledge of behaviour management, de-escalation, and trauma-informed practices
• Resilience, patience, and the ability to build rapport with challenging or vulnerable learners
• Two professional references, ideally from education or support-based settings