Connex - Bristol
SEMH Teaching Assistant – Specialist Settings
Location: South Gloucestershire
Pay: £100 – £115 per day PAYE
Job Type: Flexible Supply, Temporary, Long-Term & Temp-to-Perm Opportunities
Start Date: Flexible Supply
About the Role
Connex Education Partnership is looking for calm, resilient and empathetic SEMH Teaching Assistants to work across specialist schools, SEMH settings and alternative provisions across South Gloucestershire.
This is an excellent opportunity for experienced Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Behaviour Support Assistants, Youth Workers, Mentors and Support Workers who are passionate about helping children and young people overcome barriers to education.
You will support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, helping them develop emotional regulation, confidence, positive relationships and the skills needed to engage successfully with education.
A trauma-informed, relational approach is particularly important in these settings. You will need to understand that behaviour can be a form of communication and respond with patience, consistency and empathy.
The Role
As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you may be responsible for:
- Providing 1:1 and small-group support
- Building trusting and positive relationships with pupils
- Supporting emotional regulation and wellbeing
- Using trauma-informed and child-centred approaches
- Recognising triggers and early signs of dysregulation
- Supporting pupils through periods of anxiety, distress or challenging behaviour
- Using positive behaviour and de-escalation strategies
- Maintaining calm, consistent boundaries
- Helping pupils re-engage with learning following incidents
- Supporting confidence, resilience and independence
- Following individual behaviour and support plans
- Working closely with teachers, pastoral teams and specialist staff
The Pupils
Depending on the setting, you may support pupils experiencing:
SEMH | Trauma | Attachment difficulties | Emotional dysregulation | Anxiety | ADHD | Behavioural difficulties | Social and communication needs | Low confidence | Challenging or distressed behaviour | Difficulties engaging with education | Additional SEND needs
You won’t be expected to support every type of need. Connex will work with you to identify placements that suit your experience and strengths.
Who Are We Looking For?
We’d love to hear from candidates with:
- Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH or behavioural needs
- Teaching Assistant, Learning Support or Behaviour Support experience
- Experience working with vulnerable children or young people
- A background in education, youth work, mental health care, mentoring, coaching or support work
- Experience with emotional regulation or de-escalation
- A calm, patient and consistent approach
- Strong relationship-building skills
- The resilience and empathy needed to support pupils who may display distressed behaviour
Experience in education is desirable, but relevant experience outside of education is also highly valued.
Team-Teach, MAPA, PRICE, CPI, de-escalation or other positive behaviour training would be welcomed.
Why Connex Education Partnership?
- Competitive daily PAYE rates
- Flexible SEMH supply opportunities
- Day-to-day, short-term and long-term placements
- Weekly PAYE pay – no umbrella companies
- Free access to our SEND Toolkit and CPD training
- Funded formal qualifications
- Career progression through specialist training pathways
- Wellbeing support and refresher training
- Dedicated specialist SEND consultant
- Ongoing support throughout your placements
Apply Today
If you’re passionate about supporting children and young people with SEMH needs and want to make a genuine difference to their education and wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Charlotte Richardson on 0117 486 5001 or email [email protected] with your CV for more information.
Connex Education Partnership is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.
Connex Education Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and candidates to share this commitment. We adhere to Safer Recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and other relevant legislation. All appointments are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.