SEND Support Assistant – Behaviour & Mental Health

Senploy; Hindley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Senploy is partnering with a local education setting to recruit an experienced SEND Support Assistant with a strong background in behaviour support and emotional wellbeing. You will support pupils with SEND and SEMH needs, using de-escalation strategies to maintain a calm, supportive learning environment.

The role emphasizes regulating emotions, building consistent relationships with boundaries, and working with teachers and families to help pupils access education and thrive.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND/SEMH.
• Strong understanding of behaviour support and de-escalation.
• Experience in mental health services or specialist education preferred.
• Ability to recognise unmet needs behind behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEND and SEMH needs and behavioural difficulties.
• Use positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
• Help pupils regulate emotions and develop coping strategies.
• Build trusting professional relationships with boundaries.
• Identify triggers and respond calmly to distress.
• Support pupils to access learning and participate in class.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral teams, families and professionals.
• Contribute to a safe, structured and inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage positive behaviour, independence and engagement.

Skills

Behaviour support

Emotional regulation

De-escalation

Teamwork

Communication

Patience

Job description

Location: Hindley, Greater Manchester

Pay: Competitive, dependent on experience

Contract: To be confirmed

Start Date: ASAP

SEND Inclusion Support is working in partnership with a local education setting to recruit an experienced SEND Support Assistant with a strong background in behaviour support and emotional wellbeing.

This role would suit someone who understands the complexities behind behaviour and has experience supporting children or young people who may struggle with emotional regulation, mental health, engagement or maintaining positive relationships.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in specialist education, SEMH, mental health services, CAMHS, residential care or similar settings, who can bring a calm, consistent and supportive approach to working with young people with additional needs.

You will provide tailored support to help pupils feel safe, regulate their emotions and engage positively with education. Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH needs and behavioural difficulties.
• Using positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies to manage challenging situations.
• Helping pupils recognise and regulate their emotions and develop coping strategies.
• Building trusting, professional relationships while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.
• Identifying potential triggers and responding calmly to signs of distress or dysregulation.
• Supporting pupils to access learning and participate in classroom activities.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, families and other professionals where appropriate.
• Contributing to a safe, structured and inclusive learning environment.
• Encouraging positive behaviour, independence and engagement.

You will ideally have:

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH or complex behavioural needs.
• A strong understanding of behaviour support, emotional regulation and de-escalation.
• Experience in mental health, CAMHS, youth work, residential care, specialist education or a similar environment.
• The ability to recognise that behaviour can communicate unmet needs, distress or difficulties with emotional regulation.
• Confidence managing challenging situations while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A patient, resilient and proactive approach.

Relevant experience is more important than coming from one specific professional background. We would welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills who are passionate about supporting young people with additional needs.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to young people's lives.
• A role where your behaviour support and emotional wellbeing experience will be valued.
• The chance to work collaboratively with professionals supporting pupils with additional needs.
• An opportunity to develop your experience within a specialist SEND environment.

If you have a background in behaviour support, mental health or SEMH and want to use your skills to help young people access education and reach their potential, we'd love to hear from you.

SEND Inclusion Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check, right to work verification, references and any other checks relevant to the role and setting.