SEN Teaching Assistant (SEMH)

Teach Now Limited; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Teach Now Recruitment is seeking a resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to support primary-aged pupils with SEMH needs in Camden. This role emphasizes active engagement, safeguarding, and building trusted relationships with pupils who may struggle with routines or emotional regulation.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic school environment, providing targeted support, recording progress, and coordinating with teachers and safeguarding staff.

Qualifications

• Recent experience supporting children or young people.
• Understanding SEMH and behaviour as a form of communication.
• Ability to remain calm, patient and consistent under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• The right to work in the UK.
• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one.
• Two suitable professional references.
• Training in Team Teach, positive handling, trauma-informed practice or emotional-literacy support would be advantageous but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs.
• Build stable, professional and trusting relationships.
• Help pupils identify emotions and use regulation strategies.
• Support learning in class without creating unnecessary dependency.
• Apply behaviour-support plans consistently and calmly.
• Use de-escalation techniques during periods of anxiety or dysregulation.
• Support transitions, breaktimes and reintegration into lessons.
• Record behaviour, progress, triggers and strategies accurately.
• Liaise with teachers, the SENCO, pastoral staff and external professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguarding procedures.

Skills

Recent experience

SEMH understanding

Calm under pressure

Interpersonal skills

Safeguarding commitment

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant – SEMH

Location: Camden, Central London
Contract: Full-time, temporary
Start date: 1 September 2026
Pay: £90–£100 per day

Teach Now is looking for a resilient and emotionally intelligent SEN Teaching Assistant to support primary‑aged pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in Camden. This is not a passive classroom‑support position. You will be a trusted, consistent adult for pupils who may find school routines, relationships or emotional regulation difficult. Your approach will help pupils feel safe, manage challenging moments and gradually become more confident learners. The school is seeking someone who can combine warmth and empathy with clear professional boundaries. Experience in education is valuable, although candidates from youth work, mentoring, residential care, family support or other relevant child‑centred settings may also be considered.

What You Will Do

• Provide individual and small‑group support for pupils with SEMH needs
• Build stable, professional and trusting relationships
• Help pupils identify emotions and use agreed regulation strategies
• Support learning in class without creating unnecessary dependency
• Apply behaviour‑support plans consistently and calmly
• Use de‑escalation techniques during periods of anxiety or dysregulation
• Support transitions, breaktimes and reintegration into lessons
• Record behaviour, progress, triggers and successful strategies accurately
• Liaise with teachers, the SENCO, pastoral staff and external professionals
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all safeguarding procedures

Essential Requirements

• Recent experience supporting children or young people
• An understanding of SEMH and behaviour as a form of communication
• The ability to remain calm, patient and consistent under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills and appropriate professional boundaries
• A commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• The physical and emotional resilience required for a demanding support role
• The right to work in the UK
• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one
• Two suitable professional references
• Training in Team Teach, positive handling, trauma‑informed practice, restorative approaches or emotional‑literacy support would be advantageous but is not essential

What the School Can Offer

• A supportive SENCO and experienced pastoral team
• Structured behaviour and wellbeing systems
• Regular communication about pupils’ individual support plans
• Opportunities to develop experience in therapeutic and trauma‑informed practice
• A role where progress is measured in meaningful steps, not only academic outcomes
• The chance to make a lasting difference to pupils who need dependable adults

Teach‑Now Recruitment Details

Teach‑Now are a widely recognised, education recruitment company. We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer service and professional development that we offer our teachers and support staff.

We provide ongoing support and guidance, an excellent ‘refer a friend’ scheme that pays you £150 for each candidate you refer to us after they have worked and been paid for their first 10 days, pay in line with the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) meaning you will be paid equally to a permanent employee, and give you access to a wide range of CPD training through our in‑house team of experienced senior leaders.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualification and training for this role. For teacher roles, we require a formally recognised teaching qualification.

If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful for this role.

TeachNow operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. TeachNow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance.