Teaching Assistant – SEND / SEMH School

Location: Croydon, South London
Salary: £110 – £120 per day
Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job Type: Full-time

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding opportunity within a SEND or SEMH school in Croydon?

Do you have experience supporting children or young people with special educational needs, social emotional and mental health needs, challenging behaviour or additional needs?

Pink Tile Education are currently recruiting for a Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEND/SEMH school in Croydon. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about education, committed to supporting vulnerable children and young people, and looking to develop their experience within a specialist school environment.

This is a temporary-to-permanent Teaching Assistant position, offering the opportunity to secure a permanent role following a successful temporary placement.

Teaching Assistant – The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and support staff to provide educational, behavioural and pastoral support to pupils with a range of SEND and SEMH needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support.
• Supporting pupils with their learning and development.
• Building positive and trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour.
• Helping pupils develop positive behaviour, communication and emotional regulation strategies.
• Supporting the implementation of individual education, behaviour and support plans.
• Encouraging pupils to engage positively with their learning.
• Creating a calm, safe and supportive classroom environment.
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, pastoral staff and other professionals.
• Supporting pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural development.
• Promoting positive behaviour and helping pupils achieve their individual potential.

Teaching Assistant – Requirements

Previous experience working with children or young people is highly desirable.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in:

• SEND / SEN
• SEMH
• Special schools
• Supporting children with challenging behaviour
• Behaviour support
• Youth work
• Working with vulnerable children or young people
• EYFS
• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Mainstream schools
• Nurseries and childcare
• Mentoring or pastoral support
• Residential or care settings
• Sports coaching or youth programmes

Previous experience within a SEND or SEMH school is desirable but not essential. We are also interested in candidates with transferable experience working with children and young people who demonstrate the right attitude, resilience and commitment.

The Ideal Teaching Assistant

We are looking for a Teaching Assistant who is:

• Approachable and able to build strong relationships with children and young people.
• Reliable, punctual and committed to providing consistent support.
• Hard-working and willing to go the extra mile for pupils.
• Patient and understanding.
• Calm and resilient when dealing with challenging behaviour.
• Confident, or willing to develop confidence, when managing challenging situations.
• Caring, empathetic and supportive.
• Positive and enthusiastic.
• Adaptable and able to respond to individual pupil needs.
• A strong team player who can work effectively alongside teachers and support staff.
• Passionate about helping children and young people achieve their potential.

Why Work in a SEND / SEMH School?

Working as a Teaching Assistant within a specialist SEND or SEMH setting can be incredibly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with pupils, support their educational progress and help them develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

This role would be particularly suited to someone looking to develop a career in SEND, SEMH, teaching, education, pastoral support, youth work or behaviour support.

Why Work With Pink Tile Education?

At Pink Tile Education, we are a specialist recruitment agency dedicated to matching talented education professionals with schools where they can truly thrive. We take the time to understand both our candidates and our partner schools, ensuring the right fit for everyone involved.

Our team has extensive experience within education, particularly across SEND and SEMH settings, meaning we understand the unique challenges and rewards these roles bring.

Pink Tile Education, our schools and candidates all share the expectation of “Best Fit, Every Time”. Our job is to ensure that every candidate we place has a positive impact on the team of their new employers.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about education and eager to make a difference in the lives of young learners, we would love to hear from you. Apply below.

Looking for a different area or start date? Register with Pink Tile Education to be the first to hear about new opportunities in your area.

Pay & Holiday Pay

The pay stated is inclusive of the additional 12.07% PAYE holiday pay.

Safeguarding Statement

Pink Tile Education is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, professional references and all other safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake various background checks, including obtaining a DBS certificate if they do not already hold a valid certificate registered on the DBS Update Service.

Important Notice

In accordance with the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, this advertisement is for the purpose of identifying suitable applicants. We reserve the right to withdraw the advert prior to the closing date should a suitable candidate be appointed.