SEN / SEMH Teaching Assistant

Are you an experienced, resilient, and compassionate Teaching Assistant looking to make a meaningful impact in a specialized educational setting?

We are seeking a dedicated SEN / SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a nurturing Resource Base within a local primary school. This role involves supporting pupils across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 who have complex Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. Working within a specialized provision, you will help create a safe, structured, and engaging environment that enables children to manage their emotions, access the curriculum, and thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide tailored 1:1 and small-group support to children in the Resource Base across KS1 and KS2.

• Use positive behaviour management strategies and de-escalation techniques to support pupils experiencing emotional dysregulation.

• Support pupils with diverse SEN needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), SEMH, communication difficulties, and sensory processing needs.

• Implement personalized learning plans (IEPs/EHCPs) in collaboration with the Resource Base Lead and SENCO.

• Assist in creating a calm, structured, and predictable learning environment with visual schedules and sensory breaks.

• Foster pupil independence, build self-esteem, and encourage positive social interactions with peers.

• Complete daily notes and track individual pupil progress and behavioral triggers to support ongoing review meetings.

What We Are Looking For

• Previous experience supporting children with SEN, SEMH, or complex behavioural needs (within a school, PRU, or specialist care setting).

• A strong understanding of SEMH triggers, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour intervention techniques (e.g., Team Teach, MAPA, or price training is highly advantageous).

• Strong patience, empathy, and resilience when handling challenging situations.

• Ability to adapt activities quickly to match individual processing levels and sensory needs.

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with teachers, therapists, and parents.

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Make a direct, rewarding difference in the daily lives of vulnerable children.

• Specialist Setting: Work within a dedicated Resource Base with lower pupil-to-staff ratios and specialist resources.

• Supportive Team: Collaborate with experienced SEN staff, educational psychologists, and supportive leadership.

• Competitive Pay & Development: Excellent daily rates with opportunities for further SEN and safeguarding training.

If you are interested in this position or want to find out more, email Mia at [email removed] or ‘apply for job’ at the top of the page to submit your details.

Zest Education are an APSCo audited agency and are dedicated to safeguarding children. All candidates must hold an enhanced DBS (or allow us to process one for you) and be registered to the DBS Update Service, be able to provide references to cover the last two years and successfully pass all other necessary safeguarding checks prior to clearance for work.

Salary is dependent on experience, training, or qualifications. The minimum experience, training, or qualifications required for this position are recent school-based experience (within the last 5 years within a school that teaches the British Curriculum) and/or care-based experience within the last 5 years.

The role advertised is for temporary supply work.

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