Teaching Assistant

Teach Now; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Teach Now in the United Kingdom is seeking a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to support learners with SEMH and behavioural needs in a specialist provision for KS3–KS5. This is a full-time temporary placement with a September 2026 start in Dacorum, Hertfordshire.

The role focuses on building trust, delivering consistent support, and helping students re-engage with learning while working alongside teachers and external professionals. A suitable SEN background is required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
• Relevant SEN qualifications or demonstrable practical experience in SEN settings.

Responsibilities

• Support students with SEMH and behavioural needs across KS3–KS5.
• Build positive relationships and a calm, safe learning environment.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral teams, and families to support academic and emotional needs.

Skills

SEMH experience

Behaviour management

Emotional resilience

Education

SEN qualification

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant – SEMH & Behaviour Support

Dacorum, Hertfordshire

Full-Time | Temporary Position

September 2026 Start

£101.10 per day (Pay is determined in line with school expectations and Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), where applicable.)

Teach Now is recruiting for a dedicated and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist alternative provision supporting young people with SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) and behavioural needs.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity for someone passionate about inclusion, relationship-based support, and helping students who have experienced barriers to mainstream education rebuild confidence and achieve success.

The setting supports learners across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 who may have been excluded from mainstream schools. The successful candidate will play a vital role in creating a calm, safe, and supportive learning environment where pupils feel valued, respected, and understood.

This role is only suitable for candidates who have proven experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, behavioural needs, or complex SEN, or who hold relevant SEN qualifications.

The Role

This is not a traditional classroom environment. Success in this role comes from building trust, consistency, and positive relationships with young people who may have faced significant challenges in education and beyond.

You will work closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals to support students both academically and emotionally. Every day will be different, making this role ideal for someone adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and able to remain calm under pressure.

The successful candidate will support learners through encouragement, humour, empathy, and clear boundaries, helping them re-engage with education and celebrate progress — no matter how small.

Key Responsibilities

• Support students with SEMH and behavioural needs across KS3–KS5
• Build positive and trusting relationships with learners
• Help create a calm, safe, and purposeful learning environment
• Support students both inside and outside the classroom
• Use positive behaviour and de-escalation strategies effectively
• Encourage engagement, confidence, and emotional development
• Promote literacy, reading confidence, and positive learning habits
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams, and families
• Support pupils with varying emotional and educational needs

Requirements

Significant experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs and challenging behaviour

OR a recognised SEN qualification alongside relevant practical experience

• Experience within alternative provisions, PRUs, or SEN settings desirable
• Calm, patient, and emotionally resilient approach
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to remain professional and positive during challenging situations
• Reflective, adaptable, and solution-focused mindset
• Passionate about inclusion and supporting vulnerable learners
• Confident working independently and using initiative
• Excellent sense of humour and ability to build rapport naturally

What We Offer

• Supportive and experienced staff team
• Rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in young peoples lives
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Collaborative and inclusive working environment
• Valuable experience within specialist education and SEMH support
• Opportunity to develop behaviour management and pastoral support skills

This role would suit candidates with experience in SEN, youth work, behaviour mentoring, pastoral support, alternative provision, or mental health support who are passionate about helping young people succeed.

Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.

We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination.

Teach Now is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance