Youth Support Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Bristol; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational support organization in the UK seeks a compassionate Youth Support Assistant to work with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This role involves providing guidance, personal care, and building trusting relationships to help young people thrive. Ideal candidates should be resilient and empathetic, with strong communication skills. Ongoing training and support will be provided.

Benefits

Ongoing training and development

Support from experienced consultants

Inclusive team environment

Qualifications

• A current Enhanced Child Only DBS check or willingness to obtain one.
• Experience working with children and young people, especially with SEN.
• Ability to adapt communication to individual needs of students.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group guidance for students with SEN.
• Build trusted relationships to help young people feel secure.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver tailored support plans.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Resilience

Patience

Job description

Ready to Use Your Life Experience to Make a Meaningful Difference?

We're searching for resilient, proactive, and compassionate individuals to join our team as Youth Support Assistant— working closely with children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), including those who may require additional personal care and emotional support to thrive both in and out of the classroom. ✨

In this role, you'll make a real impact every day — helping young people build confidence, form positive relationships, and reconnect with learning in secure, nurturing environments where every achievement is celebrated.

Who Excels in This Role?

People from all walks of life bring unique strengths that can change a young person's world. You might be:

• A Sports Coach - with a strong sense of teamwork, routine, and motivation, inspiring students through movement and encouragement.
• A Psychology or Criminology Graduate - ready to apply your understanding of behaviour, learning, and development in a real-world setting.
• A Social Worker or Support Worker - experienced in SEN, behaviour support, or trauma-informed practice, passionate about empowering young people.
• Ex‑Military Personnel - offering calmness under pressure, consistency, structure, and dependable leadership.
• A Youth Worker, Teaching Assistant, or Mentor - with hands‑on experience supporting children and teens in education, care, or community contexts.

If you're driven by wellbeing, inclusion, and giving young people the chance to succeed, we'd love to meet you.

As a Youth Support Champion, You Will:

• ✅ Provide 1:1 and small-group guidance for students with social, emotional, or behavioural challenges, including those with SEN.
• ✅ Offer respectful and dignified personal care support when needed.
• ✅ Build trusted, meaningful relationships that help young people feel safe, heard, and valued.
• ✅ De-escalate situations with confidence, empathy, and patience.
• ✅ Work alongside teachers, SENCOs, and pastoral teams to deliver tailored support plans.
• ✅ Be a consistent, positive role model — offering steadiness, reassurance, and encouragement every day.

What We're Looking For:

• A naturally resilient, empathetic outlook — and a good sense of humour!
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to adapt to each young person's needs.
• A calm, fair, and patient approach to behaviour and personal care.
• A current Enhanced Child Only DBS check (or willingness to obtain one before starting).

What We Offer in Return:

• A friendly, inclusive team that celebrates what each person brings.
• Ongoing CPD, training, and development focused on SEN, behaviour support, and best practice personal care.
• A varied role where every day brings new challenges — and every small step is a big victory.
• Personalised guidance from an experienced consultant committed to helping you succeed.

✨ If you believe every young person deserves to shine — no matter their challenges — and you're ready to turn your life experience into real impact, we'd be proud to have you on our team.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ's on the Teaching Personnel website for 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.

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' this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.

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