SEND Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly PAYE pay

CPD Academy access

Dedicated consultant

Long-term opportunities

Meaningful experience in specialist ed

Job summary

Protocol Education is seeking a resilient SEND Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH and SEND needs in a specialist setting in the Stockton area, York region. You will help students regulate emotions, re-engage with learning, and build trusting relationships with children and staff.

You will work closely with teachers, therapists, and pastoral teams to create a safe, supportive environment, celebrating progress beyond academics and providing consistent, calm day-to-day support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or challenging behaviour.
• Willingness to obtain an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding checks.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEMH/SEND needs.
• Help students regulate emotions and re-engage with learning.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists, and pastoral teams.
• Maintain a consistent, calm presence throughout the day.
• Recognise progress, including non-academic achievements.

Skills

SEMH experience

Rapport building

Calm under pressure

Education

DBS check eligibility

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?

• 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.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website