Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEMH Base (Secondary Setting)
Barry (CF62)
Full-Time (Mon–Fri, 08:30–15:30) | Part-Time & Ad Hoc Available
£90–£100 per day (depending on experience)
Placement end date: July 2027
Are you passionate about supporting young people who have experienced trauma and long-term absence from education? Do you want to work in a nurturing, alternative provision that focuses on emotional wellbeing as much as academic progress?
We are recruiting for a Teaching Assistant to work within a specialised base attached to a secondary school in the Vale of Glamorgan.
About the Provision
This is not your typical classroom environment.
The provision is based in calm, purpose-built outdoor learning cabins, separated from the main school site. It supports pupils (up to age 16) from across the local authority who:
Have been out of mainstream education for extended periods
Experience SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs
Have high levels of anxiety
Have experienced trauma
Require a safe, structured and nurturing setting
The focus is on rebuilding confidence, emotional regulation, resilience and life skills, alongside academic engagement.
Outdoor activities and practical learning form a key part of the curriculum.
The Role
As a Teaching Assistant, you will:
Support pupils on a 1:1 and small group basis
Help regulate emotions and manage anxiety in a calm, therapeutic manner
Build trusted, consistent relationships
Assist with outdoor learning and life-skills sessions
Work closely with teaching staff and pastoral teams
Encourage reintegration, independence and self-belief
This role requires patience, empathy and emotional resilience.
✅ Ideal Background
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have:
Experience supporting young people with additional needs
A background in care, youth work or residential support
Experience with SEMH or trauma-informed practice
A degree in Psychology (graduates often thrive in this setting)
You must:
Have a minimum of 5 GCSEs (including core subjects)
Feel confident supporting pupils up to age 16
Be calm, nurturing and adaptable
What’s On Offer?
Full-time position (Monday–Friday, 08:30–15:30)
Part-time and ad hoc opportunities also available
Competitive pay: £90–£100 per day (depending on experience)
Long-term stability – contract through to July 2027
The opportunity to work in a truly unique and supportive environment
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on young people who need consistency, care and belief in their potential.
If you’re ready to support pupils in rebuilding confidence and rediscovering education in a safe, therapeutic setting — we’d love to hear from you.
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.
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