Teaching Assistant - Social Emotional Mental Health

Pink Tile Education Ltd; Horsham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Pink Tile Education Ltd is seeking a Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant for a SEMH school near Horsham. The role covers primary and secondary ages, with a focus on building trust and supporting students through regulation and engagement.

The position is full-time and temp-to-perm from day one, with a rural Horsham location and a requirement for a driving licence and own transport. Relocation or travel not specified, but time is terms-based with school-run holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience as Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Classroom Assistant with SEMH experience.
• Experience supporting children/young people with SEMH needs.
• Strong behaviour management and trauma-informed approaches.

Responsibilities

• Work as Teaching Assistant supporting boys with SEMH needs.
• Build positive relationships with students using a connection-first approach.
• Support pupils across primary and secondary age groups.
• Use effective behaviour management to support emotional regulation.
• Understand reasons behind behaviour and respond with patience.
• Help students develop confidence, resilience and independence.
• Support learning inside and outside the classroom.
• Collaborate with teachers and pastoral staff to provide consistent support.
• Encourage pupils to recognise strengths and achieve their potential.

Skills

Teaching Assistant

Learning Support Assistant

Classroom Assistant

Youth Worker

Support Worker

Job description

Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant / Classroom Assistant – SEMH School

Location: Horsham, West Sussex (Rural Location)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm (Term Time Only)
Pay: £127 per day
Contract: Full-Time | Temp-to-Perm Pathway from Day One
Start Date: September
Driver Required

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Classroom Assistant with a passion for supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

Do you believe that strong relationships are the foundation for positive behaviour? Are you passionate about using connection before correction to help young people feel understood, valued and ready to learn?

Pink Tile Education is working in partnership with a fantastic SEMH school near Horsham, who are looking for a dedicated and resilient Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant to join their team from September.

This specialist Horsham school supports boys across primary and secondary age groups who have a range of SEMH needs. The school understands that behaviour is often a form of communication and takes a relationship-based approach to supporting students. The focus is on building trust, understanding individual needs and helping pupils develop the skills they need to regulate their emotions and succeed.

This role would suit someone who is confident supporting young people with challenging behaviour and understands that consistency, patience and empathy are key. You will be someone who can remain calm in difficult situations, build genuine connections with students and support them through moments of frustration, anxiety or dysregulation.

The school is set within a beautiful rural location, offering incredible grounds and specialist facilities that allow pupils to learn, develop and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Please note: Due to the rural location of the school, you must be a driver with access to your own transport.

What You'll Be Doing

• Working as a Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant supporting boys with SEMH needs.




• Building positive and trusting relationships with students through a connection-first approach.




• Supporting pupils across primary and secondary age groups.




• Using effective behaviour management strategies to support emotional regulation and engagement.




• Understanding the reasons behind behaviour and responding with patience and consistency.




• Helping students develop confidence, resilience and independence.




• Supporting learning both inside and outside of the classroom.




• Working alongside teachers, pastoral staff and the wider team to provide consistent support.




• Encouraging pupils to recognise their strengths and achieve their potential.

What We're Looking For

• Experience working as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Classroom Assistant, Youth Worker, Support Worker or similar.




• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs.




• Strong behaviour management skills and confidence supporting challenging behaviour.




• An understanding of trauma-informed approaches and emotional regulation.




• Someone who believes in connection before correction and building relationships first.




• A calm, consistent and resilient approach.




• The ability to remain positive and patient when supporting students through difficult moments.




• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.




• A full UK driving licence and access to transport is essential.

Why Join This Horsham SEMH School?

• A beautiful rural setting with exceptional facilities and outdoor spaces.




• A school that prioritises relationships, emotional wellbeing and pupil development.




• A supportive and experienced team who understand the needs of SEMH learners.




• Small class sizes allowing you to build meaningful relationships with students.




• A highly rewarding role where you can make a lasting difference.




• The opportunity to develop your skills in behaviour management and SEMH support.




• Temp-to-perm pathway from Day One – start through Pink Tile Education with the opportunity to secure a permanent role once you've demonstrated you're the right fit for the school.




• Permanent staff receive a full-time salary and are not pro-rata, despite working term time only, meaning you benefit from a full-time wage while enjoying school holidays.

Recruitment Timeline

• Interviews taking place in early September.




• September start available for the successful candidate.

Safeguarding Statement:
Pink Tile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, professional references and all other safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.