SEND/SEMH Teaching Assistant – Bristol

Location: Bristol
Salary: £100–£120 per day (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday
Start Date: September 2026

About the Role

Connex Education is currently recruiting an experienced and dedicated SEND/SEMH Teaching Assistant to work full-time (5 days per week) within a welcoming school in Bristol.

This rewarding role involves supporting pupils with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism (ASC), ADHD and communication difficulties. You will work closely with class teachers and the school’s SEND team to provide tailored support, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential both academically and socially.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous SEND or SEMH experience who is passionate about making a lasting difference in children’s lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

Providing one-to-one and small group support for pupils with SEND and SEMH needs

Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, behaviour and social development

Implementing personalised learning and behaviour support strategies

Working collaboratively with teachers, SENDCos and pastoral staff

Creating a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment

Encouraging independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning

What We’re Looking For

Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs is essential

Experience working within a school or educational setting is highly desirable

Relevant qualifications such as a Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, CACHE, Childcare, Health & Social Care or equivalent are desirable

A calm, resilient and patient approach to behaviour management

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

A genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one through Connex Education

About the School

Our partner school in Bristol is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels supported to achieve their full potential. The school has a strong focus on wellbeing, positive behaviour support and high-quality SEND provision, with a collaborative staff team dedicated to ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to succeed.

Why Choose Connex Education?

Competitive daily pay rates of £100–£120 per day

Weekly PAYE pay – no umbrella companies

Free access to our Classroom Teacher and SEND Toolkits for professional development

Career progression opportunities through our professional development pathways

Wellbeing support and refresher training for modern educational settings

A dedicated SEND specialist consultant to support your career journey

Access to a wide network of schools across Bristol and the surrounding areas

Funded formal qualifications including Level 2 SEND, Level 3 Teaching & Learning, Level 4 HLTA, and Level 5 TEFL

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re an experienced SEND/SEMH Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding full-time opportunity in Bristol, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact the Bristol team on 0117 486 5001 or lily.charles@connex-education.com to find out more.

All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. 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.

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.