Teaching Assistant - SEMH Support
| Posting date: | 01 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £14 to £16 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 31 October 2025 |
| Location: | whitehaven |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Sense Education |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: |
Summary
SEMH Teaching Assistant
Nurturing pupils to build confidence, resilience and a love of learning
A mainstream primary school with a dedicated SEMH unit is looking for a caring and resilient Teaching Assistant to join their team. This is a unique opportunity to support children with social, emotional and mental health needs in a safe, structured environment that balances learning with emotional wellbeing.
The Role
As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will be working with small groups of pupils in the SEMH unit, supporting both their academic and emotional development. Each day you will:
Provide group support that encourages participation, confidence and enjoyment in learning
Create a calm, safe space where pupils feel listened to, respected and valued
Support children in regulating their emotions, using strategies such as breathing techniques, sensory tools and structured routines
Encourage positive peer relationships and model appropriate social skills
Assist in delivering nurture-based activities that build self-esteem and resilience
Support transitions between the unit and mainstream classes when appropriate
Work closely with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff to implement tailored support plans
Offer reassurance and encouragement so that pupils can overcome barriers to learning
This role combines education and wellbeing support, allowing you to make a real impact on pupils’ confidence, independence and personal growth.
The Ideal Candidate
The school is seeking someone with warmth, patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You should be motivated by the chance to help children regulate their emotions, develop coping strategies and engage positively with learning. Prior experience of supporting pupils with SEMH needs is desirable, but transferable skills from care, youth work, or health are equally valuable.
Qualifications and Skills
A recognised Teaching Assistant qualification
An understanding of SEMH needs and strategies to support emotional regulation
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Ability to nurture, encourage and motivate children in a positive way
The School
This inclusive mainstream primary has a specialist SEMH unit that provides a therapeutic environment while keeping children connected to the wider school community. The staff team is dedicated, collaborative and focused on creating a setting where children feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
Hours of Work
Monday to Friday, 8.30am–3.30pm. Applications are welcome from those looking for either full-time or part-time opportunities.
If you have a passion for supporting children both academically and emotionally, this SEMH Teaching Assistant role within a mainstream primary school’s specialist unit could be the perfect next step in your career.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.
Nurturing pupils to build confidence, resilience and a love of learning
A mainstream primary school with a dedicated SEMH unit is looking for a caring and resilient Teaching Assistant to join their team. This is a unique opportunity to support children with social, emotional and mental health needs in a safe, structured environment that balances learning with emotional wellbeing.
The Role
As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will be working with small groups of pupils in the SEMH unit, supporting both their academic and emotional development. Each day you will:
Provide group support that encourages participation, confidence and enjoyment in learning
Create a calm, safe space where pupils feel listened to, respected and valued
Support children in regulating their emotions, using strategies such as breathing techniques, sensory tools and structured routines
Encourage positive peer relationships and model appropriate social skills
Assist in delivering nurture-based activities that build self-esteem and resilience
Support transitions between the unit and mainstream classes when appropriate
Work closely with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff to implement tailored support plans
Offer reassurance and encouragement so that pupils can overcome barriers to learning
This role combines education and wellbeing support, allowing you to make a real impact on pupils’ confidence, independence and personal growth.
The Ideal Candidate
The school is seeking someone with warmth, patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You should be motivated by the chance to help children regulate their emotions, develop coping strategies and engage positively with learning. Prior experience of supporting pupils with SEMH needs is desirable, but transferable skills from care, youth work, or health are equally valuable.
Qualifications and Skills
A recognised Teaching Assistant qualification
An understanding of SEMH needs and strategies to support emotional regulation
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Ability to nurture, encourage and motivate children in a positive way
The School
This inclusive mainstream primary has a specialist SEMH unit that provides a therapeutic environment while keeping children connected to the wider school community. The staff team is dedicated, collaborative and focused on creating a setting where children feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
Hours of Work
Monday to Friday, 8.30am–3.30pm. Applications are welcome from those looking for either full-time or part-time opportunities.
If you have a passion for supporting children both academically and emotionally, this SEMH Teaching Assistant role within a mainstream primary school’s specialist unit could be the perfect next step in your career.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.