Specialist Teaching Assistants & Support Staff – Secure Children’s Setting

Milk Education; Leeds; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Milk Education is partnering with a specialist secure children’s setting in North Leeds to recruit experienced Teaching Assistants and Support Staff. The role focuses on academic and personal support for young people with SEMH needs, demanding resilience, emotional maturity and the ability to build trusting relationships.

Ideal candidates will have background as Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, or similar, and be comfortable working in a highly structured environment where

Qualifications

• Experience as Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or similar role in education.
• Experience supporting SEMH, challenging behaviour or vulnerable young people is desirable.
• Ability to work in a specialist secure setting with high needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group academic and personal support.
• Support pupils to engage positively with learning and follow routines.
• Build professional relationships with young people and the multidisciplinary team.
• Support SEMH, behavioural and additional needs; help regulate emotions.
• Contribute to a safe, structured environment and positive behaviour.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Patience

Relationship building

Behaviour management

Communication

Job description

Specialist Teaching Assistants & Support Staff – Secure Children’s Setting

North Leeds

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Worker or Youth Worker looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference?

Milk Education is working in partnership with a specialist secure children’s setting in North Leeds, supporting the education and development of young people who require a highly structured, nurturing and consistent environment.

We are looking for resilient, patient and emotionally intelligent education and support professionals who are confident working with young people who may present with challenging behaviour, complex social needs, SEMH needs or difficult life experiences.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to move away from a traditional classroom environment and work within a specialist setting where relationships, consistency and trust are at the heart of the role.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant or Support Worker, you will work closely with education and care professionals to support young people both academically and personally.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support during education sessions

• Supporting young people to engage positively with learning

• Building trusting and professional relationships with young people

• Supporting pupils with SEMH, behavioural and additional needs

• Helping young people regulate their emotions and manage challenging situations

• Promoting positive behaviour and reinforcing clear boundaries

• Supporting engagement, confidence and independence

• Working as part of a wider multidisciplinary team

• Maintaining a safe, structured and positive environment

• Encouraging young people to recognise their strengths and make positive progress

Who We’re Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience as:

• Teaching Assistants

• Learning Support Assistants

• Behaviour Support Workers

• Youth Workers

• Residential Support Workers

• SEN Support Workers

• Pastoral Support Workers

• Cover Supervisors

• Sports Coaches with strong behaviour-management experience

• Graduates with relevant experience supporting vulnerable young people

Experience working with SEMH, challenging behaviour, trauma, safeguarding, SEND, youth justice or children in care would be highly desirable.

You do not necessarily need experience working within a secure setting. What matters most is that you are confident, consistent, calm under pressure and able to build positive relationships with young people who may initially find it difficult to trust adults.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be someone who:

• Is patient, resilient and emotionally mature

• Can remain calm in challenging situations

• Has strong boundaries and behaviour-management skills

• Understands the importance of safeguarding

• Can build relationships without being judgemental

• Is consistent and reliable

• Can work effectively as part of a wider team

• Wants to support young people to make meaningful progress

• Is passionate about helping young people who may have experienced significant challenges

Why Milk Education?

As a Milk Education candidate, you will receive:

• Free CPD through Milk Academy – choose from a range of training courses

• Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement

• Access to specialist education and support opportunities across Leeds and West Yorkshire

• Regular check-ins and career guidance

• Opportunities for long-term and permanent positions

Interested?

If you’re an experienced Teaching Assistant, Support Worker, Youth Worker or education professional looking for a more specialist and rewarding role, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Milk Education to discuss the opportunity in confidence.

All applicants will be subject to the necessary safeguarding and compliance checks.

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