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Teaching Assistant – Specialist

Haywards Heath

£100 per day

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Teaching Assistant – Specialist Alternative Provision

Location: West Sussex
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Pay: £100 per day
Start Date: After October Half Term
Contract: Temporary with potential long-term opportunities

Are you passionate about supporting young people and helping them maintain a sense of routine, purpose and achievement during challenging periods in their lives?

Do you have a calm, patient and nurturing approach and enjoy building positive relationships with young people?

Pink Tile Education are working with a specialist Alternative Provision located within the grounds of a hospital, supporting young people aged 12–18 who are receiving inpatient support for acute mental health needs.

About the Setting

The provision supports young people experiencing a range of challenges, including emotional difficulties, mental health needs and eating disorders. Education forms an important part of each young person’s wider treatment and recovery, providing routine, structure and an opportunity to continue developing both academically and personally.

The setting provides education from Key Stage 3 through to Key Stage 5, with personalised timetables designed around each young person’s individual needs, circumstances and goals.

Alongside academic subjects, students have opportunities to engage in creative subjects and enrichment activities, with a strong focus on supporting their social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The education team works closely with health professionals, families and each young person’s existing school or college to maintain continuity and support a successful transition back into education or onto their next stage.

About the Role

This is a rewarding opportunity to become part of a specialist education team supporting young people during a particularly challenging period in their lives.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will help provide a calm, supportive and encouraging environment where students can engage with education at a pace that is appropriate for them.

The role is not simply about academic support. Building trust, providing consistency and helping young people regain confidence are all key parts of the position.

You will work closely with teachers and the wider team to support students with their personalised learning, helping them to remain engaged and make progress while taking into account their individual circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

  • Building positive and trusting relationships with young people.

  • Supporting students aged 12–18 across Key Stages 3–5.

  • Providing one-to-one and small-group support where required.

  • Supporting students to access their personalised learning programmes.

  • Helping students remain engaged with education in a calm and supportive environment.

  • Encouraging students to develop confidence and independence.

  • Supporting students with their social and emotional wellbeing.

  • Providing reassurance and consistency to students who may be experiencing difficult periods in their lives.

  • Working alongside teachers and other professionals to meet individual needs.

  • Supporting students with transitions and preparation for their next stage of education.

  • Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

  • Contributing to a positive, nurturing and inclusive environment.

The Ideal Candidate

This role would suit someone who is patient, compassionate and emotionally intelligent, with an understanding that every young person will have different needs and may require a highly personalised approach.

You will ideally have:

  • Experience working with young people aged 12–18.

  • Experience within education, SEND, SEMH, mental health, care, youth work or a similar environment.

  • A calm and nurturing approach.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

  • The ability to build strong professional relationships with young people.

  • Patience and resilience.

  • The confidence to adapt your approach depending on the needs of each student.

  • A genuine desire to support young people to achieve their potential.

  • The ability to work effectively as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.

  • An understanding of the importance of safeguarding and professional boundaries.

Experience supporting young people with mental health needs, SEMH or additional needs would be highly beneficial, although the most important qualities are the right attitude, patience and willingness to learn.

Why This Role?

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to young people’s lives.

At a time when education can provide much-needed routine, purpose and stability, you will play an important role in helping students maintain their progress and rebuild their confidence.

You will be part of a specialist team that recognises that education is about more than academic achievement. It can provide young people with a sense of normality, achievement and hope for what comes next.

The role also provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience working within a specialist setting alongside education and health professionals.

Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday
Pay: £100 per day
Start Date: After October Half Term
Contract: Temporary with potential long-term opportunities

How to Apply

If you are passionate about education and eager to make a difference in the lives of young people, 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.

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

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

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undertake various background checks, including obtaining a DBS, if they do not hold a valid certificate that is on the Update Service.

Lucy Parrott

Lucy Parrott

West Sussex and Hampshire SEND