Teaching Assistant

SEMH Teaching Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant Location: Haywards Heath, West SussexHours: Full-time, Monday–Friday, term-time 8:30 – 16:30Role: Teaching Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant / Learning Support AssistantSalary: Competitive, dependent on experience Are you passionate about supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? Are you patient, resilient and confident supporting children and young people who may display challenging behaviour? We are working with a specialist independent school in Bolney, West Sussex, supporting young people aged 9–18 with a range of SEND and SEMH needs. This is a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Behaviour Support Worker who wants to make a genuine difference to young people’s lives. About the Role As a Teaching Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider school team to support pupils both academically and pastorally. The school has small class sizes, allowing staff to build strong relationships with pupils and provide highly personalised support. Your responsibilities will include: Supporting pupils to access their learning and the curriculum Working alongside teachers within small classes Providing 1:1 and small-group support where required Supporting pupils with SEND and SEMH needs Helping pupils develop their language, communication and vocabulary Supporting pupils with challenging behaviour and emotional regulation Helping pupils develop strategies to self-regulate Encouraging positive behaviour and behaviour for learning Building positive, trusting relationships with young people Supporting pupils to develop confidence, independence and self-help skills Helping pupils recognise and celebrate their achievements Adapting your approach to meet individual needs Working closely with teaching, care and SEND staff Supporting pupils to develop the skills they need for life beyond school The Pupils The school supports young people with a range of Special Educational Needs and SEMH needs, including: Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Autism / ASC ADHD / ADD Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties Moderate Learning Difficulties Speech, Language and Communication Needs Communication difficulties Emotional and behavioural needs Trauma and attachment needs Sensory regulation difficulties The school provides integrated education, care and therapeutic support, with pupils accessing specialist support according to their individual EHCP and needs. Experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour, SEMH, Autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, trauma or attachment would be a real advantage. However, experience isn’t everything. The school is looking for someone who is patient, caring, resilient and genuinely wants to help young people succeed. What We’re Looking For We’re looking for a Teaching Assistant / SEN TA / Learning Support Assistant who is: Caring, patient and compassionate Calm and consistent Resilient when supporting challenging behaviour Confident building positive relationships with young people Able to set clear and appropriate boundaries Positive, encouraging and proactive Adaptable and willing to think creatively Comfortable supporting pupils with additional needs Able to remain calm in difficult or emotionally challenging situations Reliable and committed A strong team player Passionate about supporting young people to reach their potential Experience within SEND, SEMH, Alternative Provision, specialist education, residential care, youth work or behaviour support is desirable but not essential. We would also consider candidates from backgrounds such as: Teaching Assistant SEN Teaching Assistant Learning Support Assistant Behaviour Mentor SEMH Support Worker Youth Worker Residential Support Worker Care Worker Sports Coach Mentor Support Worker If you have experience working with young people and are confident building relationships, managing challenging situations and encouraging positive behaviour, your experience could be highly transferable. Small Classes & Individualised Support One of the key benefits of this setting is the small class environment, with a maximum of eight pupils per class. This gives staff the opportunity to really get to know the young people they support and understand what works for each individual. The school’s SEND team also works closely with pupils to provide additional learning support, including specialist teaching, Speech and Language Therapy and personalised learning strategies. You’ll therefore have the opportunity to develop your understanding of SEND, SEMH, communication needs and positive behaviour support while working alongside experienced professionals. Why This Role? This is a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant, SEN TA, Learning Support Assistant or Behaviour Mentor who wants to work somewhere where relationships genuinely matter. You will have the opportunity to support young people academically, emotionally and socially, helping them develop the confidence, independence and skills they need for their future. If you’re patient, resilient, caring and passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning, we’d love to hear from you. Best Fit, Every Time. How to Apply If you’re interested in this SEMH Teaching Assistant / SEN Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant opportunity, please get in touch with Pink Tile Education to register and discuss the role further. The advertised daily rate is inclusive of 12.07% PAYE holiday pay. We work closely with our schools and candidates to ensure Best Fit, Every Time. All candidates are subject to our usual safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check and references.