SEMH Teaching Assistant

Job Description:

Job Title: SEMH Teaching Assistant
Location: Leicester
Salary: £89.38-£105 per day (dependent on experience)
Job Type: Full-time, Term-time only
Start Date: ASAP / Flexible

Are you passionate about supporting young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs?

We are seeking a dedicated and resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive and inclusive school in Leicester. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to make a real difference in the lives of pupils facing social and emotional challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work 1:1 or in small groups with students aged 5–16 with SEMH needs
• Support classroom learning under the guidance of the class teacher and SENCO
• Help manage behaviour and provide emotional support
• Foster a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Encourage engagement, motivation, and confidence in learning

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEN, or behavioural needs (school-based or in youth work, care, etc.)
• A calm, patient, and empathetic approach
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to de-escalate challenging situations effectively
• Childcare qualifications are desirable but not essential
• An enhanced DBS (or willingness to apply for one)

This position is being advertised by Teaching Personnel an education recruitment agency on behalf of client schools in the Leicester area. Successful applicants will be employed by the agency and placed with partner schools. All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and be willing to undergo relevant safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for 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.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with 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 all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.