SEND Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Limited; Northallerton; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Protocol Education is seeking a resilient SEND Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEMH school in the Stockton area. You will support pupils with SEMH needs, help regulate emotions, and collaborate with teachers, therapists and pastoral teams to foster a safe, trusting learning environment.

You will be a consistent, empathetic presence, building genuine rapport with pupils and celebrating progress beyond academics, with potential for long-term opportunities for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Experience with children or young people with SEMH, SEND or challenging behaviour.
• Stays calm under pressure and patient approach.
• Builds genuine rapport with pupils you can trust.
• Shows resilience, empathy and sense of humour.
• Understands that every day is different.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH needs.
• Help regulate emotions and re-engage with learning.
• Work with teachers, therapists and pastoral teams.
• Be a consistent, calm presence throughout the day.
• Recognise and celebrate progress beyond academics.

Skills

SEMH experience

Patience under pressure

Rapport building

Empathy

Education

Relevant qualifications

Job description

This isn’t your typical classroom role — and we’re not looking for a typical Teaching Assistant.

If you’re the kind of person who can stay grounded when things feel chaotic, build trust where it’s been broken, and see behaviour for what it really is — communication — then this could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Protocol Education is working with a specialist SEMH school in the Stockton area, and they’re searching for a resilient, compassionate SEND Teaching Assistant who’s ready to make a real impact from day one.

What makes this role different?

This is a setting where:

• Relationships come before results
• Patience is more powerful than pressure
• Small steps forward are celebrated in a big way

You won’t just be “supporting learning” — you’ll be helping young people feel safe, understood, and capable again.

What your day could look like:

• Supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs
• Helping students regulate emotions and re-engage with learning
• Working closely with teachers, therapists, and pastoral teams
• Acting as a consistent, calm presence throughout the school day
• Recognising and celebrating progress — even when it’s not academic

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or challenging behaviour
• Stays calm under pressure and approach each day with patience
• Builds genuine rapport — you’re someone pupils naturally trust
• Brings resilience, empathy, and a sense of humour
• Understands that every day is different — and that’s okay

Why you’ll love working with Protocol Education:

• Weekly PAYE pay — no umbrella companies
• Free access to our CPD Academy (including SEND training)
• A dedicated consultant who actually listens to you
• Long‑term opportunities in supportive, well‑matched schools
• A chance to build meaningful experience in specialist education

Important Information:

All applicants must have (or be willing to obtain):

• An enhanced DBS check (with Update Service subscription)
• Relevant qualifications or experience for the role

Protocol Education is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All candidates will be subject to safeguarding checks in line with DfE guidance, including an online search where appropriate.

This role is temporary, with the potential to become permanent for the right candidate.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the 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 FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.