Teaching Assistant - SEMH

(Potential for permanent transition at £23,000 per annum - temp to perm after 12 week probation period)

We are searching for a resilient and nurturing professional to provide essential, life-changing support within a specialised educational environment in Burgess Hill. This temp-to-perm position offers a unique opportunity to act as a stable, guiding presence for children who have experienced significant adversity.

We operate a strict no-sponsorship policy; all applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK.

Working Hours: Monday-Thursday (08:30-15:30) and Friday (08:30-15:00).

Responsibilities:

• Provide consistent, trauma-informed emotional and educational support.
• De-escalate high-pressure situations and manage challenging behaviours.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to foster a secure environment.
• Implement professional boundaries to build student trust.

You Must Have…

• Be able to provide consistent and unwavering care and support to a group of students, taking a lead in running activities and leading a small team.
• Demonstrated success in promoting learning and student development, including assessing and recording progress.
• Ability to support teachers in curriculum delivery, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Minimum of 6 months of experience in mental health, crisis support, or youth justice.
• Strong emotional resilience and professional maturity.
• Commitment to trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to access own transportation.
• Maths and English GCSE at a grade 4/C or above.
• The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check.
• Previous experience supporting students with social, emotional, or mental health (SEMH) needs, such as in foster care, residential children's homes, social care, or other complex care settings.
• An interest in psychology or a background in counselling.

Benefits:

• Access to structured salary progression for the right candidate.
• Term-time only working and school holidays.
• Dedicated support, including a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (counselling, legal, and financial advice) and Occupational Health services.
• High-quality CPD focused on trauma-informed practice, SEMH support, and behaviour de-escalation.
• Smaller class sizes allowing staff to make a profound impact on vulnerable students.

If you are interested in discussing this role, please contact: [email removed] or give Brittany a ring on [phone removed].

experience

Non Teaching

skills

ability to track progression in attainment,background in youth work,behaviour management,building relationships,classroom management,communication,de-escalation techniques,empathy,experience in administering medication,experience in managing challenging behaviour,experience with autism spectrum disorders,experience with learning difficulties,experience with social emotional mental health,inclusiveness,manual handling,marking,mentor experience,personal care experience,planning,resilience,restraint training,speech and language therapy experience

qualifications

CACHE level 1 or 2,CACHE level 2 or 3,early childhood studies degree,health and social care experience,health and social care qualifications (NVQ),HLTA,HLTA,NVQ level 2,NVQ level 3,NVQ level 4

education

high school,college,university