SEMH Teaching Assistant – Secondary School (Full Year)
Location: Darlington
Contract: Full-time, September 2025 – July 2026 (subject to funding)
Salary: £90–£110 per day (based on experience)
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Calm under pressure? Brilliant with behaviour? This one’s for you.
We’re looking for a confident, experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant to support a small group of students in a mainstream secondary school from September through to July. The role focuses on helping young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs engage positively in their learning and feel supported throughout the school day.
You’ll need a toolbox of proven strategies, excellent communication skills, and a good sense of humour—because when you’re working with students who’ve had a tough time, relationships matter most.
What the role involves:
* Supporting students with SEMH needs in small groups or on a 1:1 basis
* Promoting positive behaviour, resilience, and emotional regulation
* Working closely with SENCOs, pastoral teams, and class teachers
* Creating a calm, predictable learning environment where students can thrive
What you’ll need:
* UK-based experience working with children with SEMH needs (essential)
* A solid understanding of behaviour management and de-escalation techniques
* Patience, empathy, and confidence to support students consistently
* A proactive approach to building trust and promoting independence
What we offer:
* A full-time, long-term opportunity to make a real difference
* Weekly pay through PAYE
* FREE CPD and Thrive training to support your development
* Ongoing support from a consultant
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Sound like your next challenge? Apply now or drop us a message to find out more.
Let’s help young people find their calm, their confidence, and their place.
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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