SEN Teaching Assistant – SEMH & Behaviour Support
Dacorum, Hertfordshire
Full-Time | Temporary Position
September 2026 Start
£101.10 per day (Pay is determined in line with school expectations and Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), where applicable.)
Teach Now is recruiting for a dedicated and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist alternative provision supporting young people with SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) and behavioural needs.
This is a highly rewarding opportunity for someone passionate about inclusion, relationship-based support, and helping students who have experienced barriers to mainstream education rebuild confidence and achieve success.
The setting supports learners across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 who may have been excluded from mainstream schools. The successful candidate will play a vital role in creating a calm, safe, and supportive learning environment where pupils feel valued, respected, and understood.
The Role
This is not a traditional classroom environment. Success in this role comes from building trust, consistency, and positive relationships with young people who may have faced significant challenges in education and beyond.
You will work closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and external professionals to support students both academically and emotionally. Every day will be different, making this role ideal for someone adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and able to remain calm under pressure.
The successful candidate will support learners through encouragement, humour, empathy, and clear boundaries, helping them re-engage with education and celebrate progress — no matter how small.
Key Responsibilities
• Support students with SEMH and behavioural needs across KS3–KS5
• Build positive and trusting relationships with learners
• Help create a calm, safe, and purposeful learning environment
• Support students both inside and outside the classroom
• Use positive behaviour and de-escalation strategies effectively
• Encourage engagement, confidence, and emotional development
• Promote literacy, reading confidence, and positive learning habits
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams, and families
• Support pupils with varying emotional and educational needs
The Ideal Candidate
• Previous experience supporting young people with SEMH or behavioural needs
• Experience within alternative provisions, PRUs, or SEN settings desirable
• Calm, patient, and emotionally resilient approach
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to remain professional and positive during challenging situations
• Reflective, adaptable, and solution-focused mindset
• Passionate about inclusion and supporting vulnerable learners
• Confident working independently and using initiative
• Excellent sense of humour and ability to build rapport naturally
What We Offer
• Supportive and experienced staff team
• Rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in young peoples lives
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Collaborative and inclusive working environment
• Valuable experience within specialist education and SEMH support
• Opportunity to develop behaviour management and pastoral support skills
This role would suit candidates with experience in SEN, youth work, behaviour mentoring, pastoral support, alternative provision, or mental health support who are passionate about helping young people succeed.
Why work via Teach Now?
Teach-Now are a widely recognised, education recruitment company. We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer service and professional development that we offer our teachers and support staff. We:
• Ensure that you will have your own dedicated consultant who will provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Offer an excellent refer a friend scheme that pays you £150 for each candidate you refer to us after they have worked and been paid for their first 10 days.
• Pay in line with the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) meaning you will be paid equally to a permanent employee.
• Give you access to a wide range of CPD training through our in-house team of experienced senior leaders
Application Process: Do you feel you meet the criteria for this exciting opportunity? If so, please either apply below or contact Teach-Now directly. All applicants will require the appropriate qualification and training for this role. For teacher roles, we require a formally recognised teaching qualification. If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful for this role. However, we will keep your CV and continue to help you in your search for a job within education. Good luck with your application, we look forward to hearing from you.
Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.
We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. Teach Now 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. This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance