SEN Teaching Assistant (Social, Emotional & Mental Health Needs)

Location: Gainsborough Lincolnshire
Role Type: Full-Time Long-Term
Salary:FTE
Start Date: ASAP

About the School

This role is based at a specialist SEN school in Gainsborough Lincolnshire supporting pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs often alongside additional learning difficulties or neurodiversity such as ADHD or autism.

The school caters for pupils aged 716 who have struggled to thrive in mainstream settings due to emotional regulation difficulties trauma anxiety or behavioural challenges. Many pupils have experienced disrupted education and require a highly consistent therapeutic and relational approach.

The school focuses on building trust emotional safety and self-regulation alongside academic and life skills development. Staff are trained in trauma-informed practice and positive behaviour support and the school prioritises staff wellbeing and teamwork.

The Role

As a SEN Teaching Assistant (SEMH) you will work closely with pupils who require significant emotional and behavioural support. You will help pupils regulate emotions access learning and develop coping strategies that enable them to engage positively with education.

This is a demanding but highly rewarding role suited to individuals who are resilient empathetic and committed to supporting vulnerable young people. You will be a consistent and trusted adult supporting pupils through moments of dysregulation and helping them re-engage with learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small group support for SEMH pupils

• Support emotional regulation and behaviour management

• Implement behaviour support and risk reduction plans

• Assist pupils with accessing learning activities

• Support literacy numeracy and vocational learning

• Use de-escalation and restorative approaches

• Support pupils during transitions and unstructured times

• Build strong trusting relationships with pupils

• Record incidents progress and observations accurately

• Work collaboratively with teachers therapists and families

• Maintain high safeguarding and professional standards

Person Specification

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience supporting SEMH or challenging behaviour

• Be calm resilient and emotionally intelligent

• Understand trauma-informed and restorative practice

• Have strong communication and teamwork skills

• Be confident working with pupils with complex needs

• Hold a SEN or TA qualification (desirable)

• Be committed to safeguarding and inclusion

Training and Support

The school offers:

• SEMH and trauma-informed training

• Behaviour management and de-escalation training

• Ongoing mentoring and emotional support

• Clear progression routes within SEN education

Safeguarding Statement

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Enhanced DBS clearance is required.