Location: Chichester
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:10pm
Contract: Full-time, term-time
Role: Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant
Daily Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience
Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or SEN Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding role supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?
We are working with a specialist SEMH school in the Chichester area, supporting boys aged 7–16 who may have struggled within mainstream education.
The school provides a small, supportive and highly personalised learning environment for pupils with a range of needs, including SEMH, challenging behaviour, Autism, ADHD, attachment difficulties, anxiety and speech and language difficulties.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference while developing their experience in SEND, SEMH, behaviour support and specialist education.
As a Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider school team to support pupils both academically and emotionally.
You will help pupils to access their education while developing their confidence, independence, emotional regulation and social skills.
Your responsibilities will include:
Supporting pupils to access classroom learning
Providing 1:1 and small-group support
Supporting pupils with SEMH and SEND needs
Building positive and trusting relationships with young people
Supporting pupils with challenging behaviour and emotional regulation
Helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence
Encouraging positive behaviour and behaviour for learning
Supporting pupils who may become dysregulated, anxious or disengaged
Helping pupils communicate their needs and make positive choices
Working alongside teachers to provide personalised learning support
Supporting pupils with social and communication development
Encouraging pupils to participate in lessons and activities
Helping pupils recognise their strengths and celebrate their achievements
Supporting pupils to develop skills for education, employment and adulthood
The school supports young people with a range of Special Educational Needs and SEMH needs, including:
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Autism / ASC
ADHD
Challenging behaviour
Attachment difficulties
Anxiety
Speech and language difficulties
Communication difficulties
Behavioural and emotional needs
Many pupils have experienced difficulties within mainstream education, so they need staff who can provide consistency, clear boundaries, patience and positive relationships.
Experience working with challenging behaviour, SEMH, SEND, Autism, ADHD, trauma, attachment or communication difficulties would be a real advantage.
However, previous specialist school or Alternative Provision experience isn’t essential. The right attitude, resilience and ability to build relationships are incredibly important.
We’re looking for a Teaching Assistant / SEN TA / Learning Support Assistant who is:
Caring, patient and compassionate
Calm and consistent
Passionate about supporting young people
Confident building positive relationships
Resilient when faced with challenging behaviour
Able to remain calm and professional during difficult situations
Positive, encouraging and proactive
Comfortable setting clear and consistent boundaries
Able to look beyond behaviour and understand the individual
Adaptable and willing to think creatively
Comfortable working as part of a close-knit team
Reliable and committed
Interested in developing their SEND and SEMH experience
Experience with SEMH, SEND, challenging behaviour, Autism, ADHD, youth work, mentoring, care or residential support is desirable but not essential.
We would also consider candidates from backgrounds including:
Teaching Assistant
SEN Teaching Assistant
Learning Support Assistant
Behaviour Mentor
SEMH Support Worker
Youth Worker
Residential Support Worker
Care Worker
Sports Coach
Mentor
Family Support Worker
If you have experience building positive relationships with young people and supporting them through challenges, your experience could be highly transferable.
This is not a traditional mainstream classroom environment.
Pupils are taught in small, needs-led groups, allowing learning and support to be personalised around individual needs, abilities and learning styles.
The school also focuses on developing pupils’ confidence, independence, life skills and preparation for adulthood, with opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
For older pupils, this can include vocational learning, college opportunities, work-related skills and experiences within the local community.
As a member of the support team, you’ll therefore have the opportunity to make a difference not only to a young person’s education, but also to their confidence, behaviour, independence and future prospects.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant, SEN TA, Learning Support Assistant or Behaviour Mentor who wants to work somewhere where relationships genuinely matter.
You’ll have the opportunity to get to know your pupils, understand their individual needs and help them overcome barriers that may have previously prevented them from engaging with education.
If you’re patient, resilient, consistent and passionate about helping young people succeed, we’d love to hear from you.
Best Fit, Every Time.
If you’re interested in this SEMH Teaching Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant opportunity, please get in touch with Pink Tile Education to register and discuss the role further.
The advertised daily rate is inclusive of 12.07% PAYE holiday pay.
We work closely with our schools and candidates to ensure Best Fit, Every Time.
All candidates are subject to our usual safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check and references.
Apply for Teaching Assistant