Teaching Assistant (Pastoral & SEMH Support)

Teaching Personnel; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational recruitment agency is seeking a Teaching Assistant in Blackburn. This role focuses on supporting children's social, emotional, and mental health needs in a Primary School setting. The ideal candidate will have a degree, preferably in Psychology, and experience with vulnerable individuals. Responsibilities include providing targeted support, collaborating with teachers, and enhancing the school's pastoral care. The position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on children's lives while working in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or vulnerable individuals, ideally with SEMH needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and pupil wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group SEMH support.
• Liaising with class teachers and the SENCO regarding individual needs.
• Supporting wellbeing interventions in classrooms and intervention spaces.
• Working alongside outside agencies.
• Contributing ideas to enhance the school's pastoral provision.

Skills

Strong relationship-building skills

Resilience

Flexibility

Understanding of individual needs

Education

Degree-level qualification (Psychology preferred)

Job description

Position Details

Location: Blackburn
Contract: Fixed Term (initially)
Hours: 8:45am – 3:30pm (occasional extended hours for meetings)
Salary: £350–£450 per week (dependent on experience)

Are you looking to use your experience and passion for supporting children’s wellbeing within a mainstream Primary School setting?

A reputable Primary School in Blackburn is seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant with strong pastoral experience, ideally holding a degree in Psychology, to support children across the school who require additional SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) support. Senior Leaders are deeply committed to promoting positive mental health and ensuring every pupil receives the right level of care, and have therefore created this new role to strengthen their pastoral and inclusion provision.

The school is particularly keen to secure a candidate with knowledge of child development, mental health needs, or experience supporting children or vulnerable individuals. A Psychology graduate is especially encouraged to apply, as this background will add valuable insight and expertise to the pastoral team.

Responsibilities

This is a rewarding and varied role where no two days are the same. Duties will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small‑group SEMH support
• Liaising closely with class teachers and the SENCO regarding individual needs
• Supporting wellbeing interventions both in classrooms and dedicated intervention spaces
• Working alongside outside agencies where appropriate
• Contributing ideas and strategies to enhance the school’s pastoral provision

The successful candidate will report directly to the SENCO and join a school where the Headteacher maintains an “open‑door policy”, encouraging staff to share new ideas and contribute to whole‑school improvement.

Strong relationship‑building skills with both children and families are essential. Applicants must be open‑minded, committed to inclusion, and able to demonstrate a clear understanding of individual needs. Resilience, flexibility, and confidence working with colleagues across all levels of the school are key to success in this role.

Qualifications

• Degree‑level qualification (Psychology preferred)
• Experience supporting children or vulnerable individuals, ideally with SEMH needs
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and pupil wellbeing

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives while gaining valuable school‑based experience in a supportive environment.

Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. All candidates must have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance is provided.

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