Job Title: Sports SEND Teaching Assistant
Location: Sunderland
Salary: £89–£108 per day
Contract: Full-time, Long-Term
Start Date: Immediate
Do you believe sport has the power to inspire, motivate, and build confidence?
We’re working with a specialist SEMH school in Sunderland where education goes beyond the classroom. This is a setting that values respect, resilience, and teamwork — helping pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs re-engage with learning and discover their strengths.
They’re looking for a Sports SEND Teaching Assistant to join the team and use physical activity as a way to connect with and support young people.
Your role will include:
1. Using sport, PE, and outdoor activities to build trust and positive relationships
2. Supporting pupils 1:1 and in small groups with both learning and behaviour
3. Helping to create a safe, structured environment where pupils can thrive
4. Working alongside teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to provide consistent support
What we’re looking for:
5. Experience working with children or young people, ideally in SEND or SEMH settings
6. A background in sport, coaching, youth work, or physical education
7. Patience, resilience, and a positive attitude
8. Strong communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire
What Protocol Education offers you:
9. Weekly pay through PAYE — no umbrella companies
10. FREE access to our CPD Academy, including FREE Thrive training to enhance your SEMH skills
11. Ongoing support from a dedicated consultant who knows your local area
12. Opportunities across SEMH schools, PRUs, and alternative provisions
This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your passion for sport into a role where you’ll make a real difference, helping pupils grow in confidence, build resilience, and find new ways to succeed.
Apply today to kick off your career in SEMH education with Protocol Education.
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 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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