DescriptionEmployerLocation
Date posted: February 2026
Pay: £22,000 to £30,000.00 per year
Job Description:
SEMH Key Worker & Specialist Teaching Assistant
Term-Time Only | Outstanding Pay & Benefits | Meaningful, Life-Changing Role
Ready for a Fresh Start? A New Challenge? A Career That Truly Matters?
We are seeking dedicated, resilient and compassionate individuals to join our team as SEMH Key Workers & Specialist Teaching Assistants. This role is open to both qualified and unqualified applicants who are passionate about supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
This is a challenging but deeply rewarding role. Our pupils need adults who can provide consistent support, strong boundaries, and genuine care. In return, we offer excellent take-home pay, outstanding benefits, and high-quality professional development, because we believe in investing in the people who support our young people every day.
Salary –
£22,113 – Unqualified
£24,675 – Qualified (lowest band)
£26,255 – HLTA or Degree Qualified
The Role
As an SEMH Key Worker & Specialist Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils both academically and pastorally. You will:
Act as a key worker, building strong, trusted relationships with pupils
Provide pastoral and behaviour support within the classroom and across the school
Support pupils to regulate emotions and manage behaviour positively
Work using trauma-informed and relational approaches
Help young people understand boundaries and develop skills for life beyond school
Work closely with teachers, therapists, and the wider pastoral team
Due to the nature of the role, the use of a vehicle and a full UK driving licence is desirable, particularly for off-site activities or additional pupil support.
This role will be working with children and young people aged between Year 8 and Year 13, supporting them through key stages of their education and personal development. You will work closely with students who require additional emotional, behavioural and pastoral support, helping them to regulate, engage in learning, and build the skills they need to succeed both in school and beyond.
Is This You?
We would love to hear from you if you:
Can relate to young people who benefit from a flexible, pastoral approach
Are calm, resilient, and able to think quickly on your feet
Have the energy and commitment to support pupils with complex needs
Can maintain clear boundaries while building positive relationships
Want to make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable children
Experience & Qualities We’re Looking For
Strong understanding of behaviour management
Passion for working with pupils with SEMH needs
Experience working with mental health, behaviour, trauma, safeguarding or pastoral support
This experience may come from education, care, youth work, mental health services, or lived experience
A team player with a sense of humour and a positive, solution-focused mindset
What We Offer You
Free breakfast and lunch provided daily
Free on-site parking
Uniform provided
Five paid duvet days per year (to be taken outside of school holidays)
A supportive, experienced team who think creatively and collaboratively
High-quality CPD and training
Paid Teaching Assistant qualifications and NVQs
Strong focus on staff wellbeing and mental health
Working hours: 8:30am – 4:15pm, Monday to Friday
Term-time only contracts – all school holidays off
Protected INSET days for learning and development
Opportunities for paid overtime during school holidays
Healthshield cashback scheme (e.g. opticians)
About The Place Independent School
The Place Independent School supports pupils from Year 2 to Year 13 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Many of our pupils have experienced long-term trauma, safeguarding concerns, and disrupted education. We believe every child deserves high-quality learning, strong pastoral care, and adults who genuinely care about their future.
Safeguarding Statement
The Place Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and religion.
If you are looking for a role that challenges you, supports you, and allows you to change lives every single day, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
Casual dress
Discounted or free food
Employee discount
Free parking
On-site parking
Referral programme
Safeguarding Statement
The Place Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.