Hours: Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 3:30pm (Term Time Only)
Pay: £100 per day through Pink Tile Education
Contract: Full-Time | Temp-to-Perm (12-week probationary period)
Start Date: September 2026
Are you looking to become a Secondary Mental Health Assistant? Have you gained experience supporting children or young people through SEMH, SEND, mental health, behaviour support, youth work or residential care? If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
This specialist Alternative Provision in Crawley is seeking a passionate Secondary Mental Health Assistant to join their dedicated team this September. The provision supports students aged 11-16 who have experienced barriers within mainstream education and need additional support to re-engage with learning, build confidence and achieve positive outcomes.
Whether you’ve worked as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Assistant, Support Worker, Youth Worker or within a mental health or SEND setting, this role offers the opportunity to develop your career whilst making a lasting impact on young people’s lives.
This is far more than a traditional Teaching Assistant role. As a Secondary Mental Health Assistant, you’ll become a trusted adult, mentor and positive role model, helping young people rebuild confidence, regulate their emotions and rediscover a love of learning. Every day presents new opportunities to make a genuine difference in a young person’s life.
This Alternative Provision supports students who require additional help due to:
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
School exclusion or being at risk of exclusion.
Behavioural challenges.
Difficulties accessing or sustaining mainstream education.
The provision delivers targeted intervention programmes designed to:
Prevent permanent exclusions.
Improve emotional regulation and resilience.
Develop positive coping strategies.
Build confidence and self-esteem.
Support academic progress following periods of missed education.
Prepare students to successfully transition back into mainstream education where appropriate.
Students may present with:
SEMH needs
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
ADHD
Anxiety
Emotional regulation difficulties
Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
Low confidence and self-esteem
Behaviour that challenges
The school prides itself on creating a calm, nurturing and supportive environment where every young person is encouraged to succeed.
As a Secondary Mental Health Assistant, you will:
Support students aged 11-16 throughout the school day.
Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
Act as a positive role model and mentor.
Support students both inside and outside of the classroom.
Work alongside teachers and Teaching Assistants to deliver engaging learning activities.
Encourage positive behaviour using consistent strategies.
Help students regulate their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Deliver 1:1 and small group interventions where required.
Adapt learning activities to meet individual needs.
Support students with SEMH and additional learning needs.
Promote resilience, confidence and independence.
Support students during challenging situations using a calm and patient approach.
Encourage attendance, engagement and participation in education.
Record observations and contribute to student progress.
Help maintain a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment.
To be considered for this Secondary Mental Health Assistant role in Crawley, you must have:
GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
Previous experience working with children or young people.
A background in one or more of the following:
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Behaviour support
Mental health support
Youth work
Residential care
Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Behaviour Support roles
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
A calm, resilient and patient approach.
The ability to remain professional in challenging situations.
A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people.
Team Teach or positive behaviour management training.
Experience working within an Alternative Provision or specialist education setting.
Understanding of trauma-informed practice.
£100 per day whilst working through Pink Tile Education.
Full-time hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday-Friday.
Term-time only working.
A September 2026 start.
A temp-to-perm opportunity with a 12-week probationary period, giving both you and the school the opportunity to ensure it’s the right long-term fit before a permanent position is offered.
Ongoing support from an experienced education recruitment team.
The opportunity to build a rewarding career supporting young people who need it most.
If you’re interested in this Secondary Mental Health Assistant position in Crawley, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply with your most up-to-date CV, ensuring it clearly highlights your relevant experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, SEND, mental health needs or behaviour support.
Every application will be personally reviewed. If your skills and experience match what the school is looking for, you’ll be invited to an interview to discuss the role in more detail.
Successful candidates will then be guided through Pink Tile Education’s safeguarding, compliance and reference checks before beginning the role in September on a 12-week probationary (temp-to-perm) placement. Following a successful probationary period, you will have the opportunity to become a permanent member of the school’s team.
To successfully apply for this role, you must be eligible to work in the UK and meet the requirements of the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes obtaining satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one), and completing all safeguarding and compliance checks.
Pink Tile Education is a specialist education recruitment agency passionate about matching exceptional people with exceptional schools across Sussex. We take the time to understand both our candidates and our partner schools, ensuring every placement is the right fit.
Working through Pink Tile Education means you’ll receive:
A dedicated consultant who will support you throughout your recruitment journey.
Honest advice and regular communication.
Weekly pay whilst working on supply.
Access to long-term, temp-to-perm and permanent opportunities across Sussex.
Ongoing support before, during and after your placement.
A friendly, knowledgeable team committed to helping you succeed.
If you’re looking to take the next step into a Secondary Mental Health Assistant role and have experience as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Assistant, Youth Worker or Support Worker, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today with your up-to-date CV, and if your experience matches what we’re looking for, I’ll be in touch to arrange an interview.
Apply for Secondary Mental Health Assistant
