SEN Teaching Assistant (SEMH & Complex Needs)

Teaching Personnel Ltd.; West of England; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel Ltd. is seeking a resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH and complex needs in a specialist Bristol-area provision. The role includes 1:1 and small-group support, helping students regulate emotions, build resilience, and access learning through practical activities.

The position is full-time with immediate start, offering daily rates of £92-£105 and a commitment to safeguarding and high-quality training.

Qualifications

• Experience in SEN teaching or related support roles is desirable.
• Ability to work 1:1 and in small groups with SEMH and complex needs.
• Calm, trauma-informed approach and strong communication with staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH and additional needs.
• Build positive relationships with students who may be disengaged from education.
• Support emotional regulation, resilience and self-confidence.
• Assist learning through practical and differentiated activities.
• Collaborate with teachers and wider staff to support progress.

Skills

SEN Teaching Assistant

Behaviour Mentor

Youth Work

Residential Care

Sports Coaching

Mental Health Support

Education

Psychology degree

Criminology degree

Childhood Studies degree

Education degree

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant (SEMH & Complex Needs)

Weston-super-Mare | Full-Time | £92-£105 per day | Immediate Start

Help Young People Re-engage With Education

Some pupils need more than academic support. They need someone who can build trust, provide consistency, and help them believe in themselves again.

We are recruiting a resilient and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist provision in the Bristol area, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, and additional learning needs.

This setting supports students who may have struggled in mainstream education and benefits from a therapeutic, relationship-led approach. The successful candidate will be passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning and achieve positive outcomes both in school and beyond.

The Role

• As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will:
• Provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH and additional needs
• Build positive relationships with students who may be disengaged from education
• Support emotional regulation, resilience and self-confidence
• Use a calm, consistent and trauma-informed approach to behaviour support
• Help pupils access learning through practical, creative and differentiated activities
• Work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and wider professionals to support individual progress
• Encourage independence, social development and positive routines

We\'re Looking For Someone Who Has Experience In:

• SEN Teaching Assistant roles
• Behaviour Mentor positions
• Youth Work
• Residential Childcare
• Support Work
• Care Work
• Sports Coaching
• Mental Health Support
• Alternative Provision settings
• Working with vulnerable young people
• Psychology, Criminology, Childhood Studies and Education graduates are particularly encouraged to apply.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

• Small class sizes and high levels of support
• A strong focus on relationships and individual progress
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Exposure to SEMH, behaviour support and trauma-informed practice
• Valuable experience for careers in:
• Educational Psychology
• Social Work
• Counselling
• Teaching
• Youth Justice
• Mental Health Services
• Long-term opportunity with potential for a permanent position

The Ideal Candidate Will Be:

• Patient, resilient and empathetic
• Confident building relationships with young people who present with challenging behaviour
• Passionate about supporting vulnerable learners
• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Committed to helping every young person succeed
• A positive team player with strong communication skills

Apply Today

If you\'re looking for a meaningful role where you can genuinely change the trajectory of a young person\'s education, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Whether you\'re an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor, Youth Worker, Sports Coach or Psychology Graduate looking to enter education, we\'d love to hear from you.

Keywords: SEN Teaching Assistant, SEMH Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor, Learning Support Assistant, Youth Worker, Psychology Graduate, Autism Support, Alternative Provision, Mental Health Support, SEN Jobs Weston-super-Mare, BS22 Jobs.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.

For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website