SEMH Teaching Assistant
Leyland | Primary and Secondary Provision | Full-time | Temporary to Permanent
A specialist SEMH school in Leyland is seeking a committed and resilient Teaching Assistant to join the team. This role supports children and young people across both primary and secondary phases who present with complex trauma histories and significant social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school provides a therapeutic, relationship-centred environment and is committed to helping every pupil regulate, re-engage, and progress academically and emotionally.
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver consistent, trauma-informed support to pupils displaying a range of SEMH presentations.
* Build strong, trust-based relationships that promote emotional safety and engagement.
* Facilitate personalised learning activities, both in and out of the classroom.
* Implement behaviour regulation strategies and de-escalation techniques in line with whole-school frameworks.
* Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals to deliver holistic support plans.
* Contribute to creating a stable, predictable, and nurturing environment for pupils who require high levels of structure and reassurance.
Candidate Profile
* Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs, trauma, behavioural challenges, or in a therapeutic or care setting.
* Confident, patient, and emotionally robust, with the ability to stay calm under pressure.
* Understanding of attachment-aware practice, ACEs, and trauma-informed approaches, or willingness to develop expertise.
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to model positive emotional regulation.
* A reflective practitioner who can adapt swiftly to changing needs.
Contract and Benefits
* Full-time, term-time role.
* Temporary contract with a clear pathway to permanent employment based on performance and school fit.
* Ongoing CPD in trauma-informed practice, behaviour support, and SEMH pedagogy.
* Supportive leadership and a collaborative multi-disciplinary team.
To express interest or request further details, please get in touch.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for 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.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with 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 all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.