Job Title: SEMH Teaching Assistant
Location: Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Salary: £89–£108 per day
Contract: Full-time, Long-Term
Start Date: Immediate / September 2025
Support children to thrive, not just survive, in education
We’re working with a specialist academy in Sunderland that provides tailored education for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. The school’s ethos is centred on respect, resilience, and positive relationships—ensuring every child is given the opportunity to grow in confidence, manage their emotions, and succeed in learning.
Staff here work as a team to create a safe and structured environment where pupils feel valued, understood, and supported. The school believes in celebrating progress in all forms, from academic achievements to personal milestones.
The role:
As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you’ll support pupils both in and out of class, helping them to engage with learning, manage behaviours, and develop key social and life skills. Every day is different, and your patience, creativity, and empathy will help pupils overcome barriers and build brighter futures.
What the school offers:
* A nurturing environment where staff and pupils are respected and supported
* Ongoing CPD and training opportunities, including behaviour support and trauma-informed practice
* A collaborative and values-driven team who celebrate progress together
* Clear focus on wellbeing for staff and pupils alike
We’re looking for someone who:
* Has experience working with children or young people with SEMH or challenging behaviour
* Brings resilience, empathy, and a calm approach to difficult situations
* Can adapt quickly, build positive relationships, and work as part of a team
* Is committed to making a lasting difference in children’s lives
Why join Protocol Education?
* Weekly pay through PAYE (no umbrella companies)
* Free access to our CPD Academy
* Personal consultant support throughout your journey
* Opportunities across SEMH, SEND, mainstream, and alternative provisions
* Referral rewards when you recommend friends
Apply today to start making a real impact in a Sunderland school that puts SEMH support at the heart of everything they do.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
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