Job Description
Do you thrive on building strong relationships and being a consistent, trusted adult for a young person who needs extra support?
New Directions Education is recruiting compassionate, patient, and dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistants to support learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs across a range of settings in Wakefield.
This is a highly rewarding role where you’ll provide individualised 1:1 support, helping pupils feel safe, understood, and able to engage with their learning and school life more positively.
We’d love to hear from you if you:
1. Have a good understanding of trauma‑informed practice and therapeutic behaviour support
2. Are Team‑Teach trained or experienced using positive behaviour management strategies
3. Are calm, empathetic, and resilient, even in challenging situations
4. Feel confident supporting emotional regulation and behaviour
5. Are passionate about inclusion and making a genuine difference
About the role:
You will work 1:1 with a pupil who experiences SEMH challenges, supporting them throughout the school day. This may include time in the classroom, during transitions, unstructured periods, and targeted interventions.
You’ll work closely with teaching staff, pastoral teams, and SEN professionals to ensure consistent, supportive strategies are in place to help the pupil succeed.
Your responsibilities will include:
6. Providing dedicated 1:1 support tailored to the pupil’s individual needs
7. Supporting emotional regulation and behaviour using positive, trauma‑informed approaches
8. Encouraging engagement with learning and supporting access to the curriculum
9. Helping create and maintain a calm, structured, and supportive environment
10. Building a trusting, positive relationship with the pupil
11. Supporting confidence, self‑esteem, and positive behaviour choices
12. Working collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, and external professionals
13. Monitoring progress and contributing to reviews and support plans
Why this role is so rewarding:
14. Make a real difference in one young person’s daily school experience
15. Be a key part of a learner’s emotional and educational journey
16. Gain valuable experience in SEMH and inclusive education
17. Work within supportive schools and specialist teams across Wakefield
If you are reliable, caring, and committed to supporting learners with SEMH needs on a 1:1 basis, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today
All roles are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.
What New Directions Education Ltd offers:
18. A dedicated and expert Account Manager
19. Regular and varied supply work
20. Competitive rates of pay
21. Potential long-term teaching roles
22. Full compliance with the Agency Workers Regulation (AWR)
23. A network of branches across the UK
24. Preferred supplier to more than 20 boroughs across the UK
25. Recommend-a-friend scheme
26. Respected reputation across the education and recruitment industry
We are fully committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. All applicants must undertake a full enhanced DBS check.
Please select Apply Now to enquire about this job vacancy with New Directions Education Ltd, Leeds branch.
New Directions Education Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.