SEMH Teaching Assistant Secondary

SEMH Secondary Teaching Assistant

Location: Manchester |
Pay: £90 - £100 per day (depending on experience) |
Contract: Full-time | Term-Time Only |
Start Date: Immediate / September 2026

Are you looking for a role where you can truly change the direction of a young person's life?

A supportive and well‑established secondary school in Manchester is seeking a passionate SEMH Teaching Assistant to work with students who require additional emotional and behavioural support to engage with education. This role is ideal for someone who wants to make a real difference while developing valuable experience in education, youth work, psychology or behaviour support.

This is not just a classroom support role – it's an opportunity to mentor, guide and inspire young people who need positive role models and consistent support.

The school provides a structured and nurturing learning environment for students aged 11-16 who experience Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
. Many students may have faced barriers to learning in mainstream education and benefit from additional support to re‑engage with their studies.

The school focuses on building confidence, emotional resilience and life skills alongside academic learning.

The setting includes:

• Small class sizes allowing for individualised attention
• Dedicated pastoral and behaviour support teams
• Wellbeing and reflection spaces for emotional regulation
• Intervention rooms for targeted learning support
• Modern classrooms and engaging learning resources
• Outdoor activity areas to encourage positive engagement
• A calm and structured environment designed to support student wellbeing

Staff work collaboratively to ensure every young person feels supported, respected and capable of success
.

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant
, you will play a vital role in supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting students 1:1 or in small groups with learning activities
• Helping students manage emotions and behaviour in a positive way
• Encouraging engagement and motivation in lessons
• Supporting teachers with classroom activities and lesson preparation
• Implementing behaviour support strategies and routines
• Building positive, trusting relationships with students
• Supporting students during break times, transitions and interventions
• Helping pupils develop confidence, social skills and independence

No two days are the same, making this role both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Patient, resilient and empathetic
• Confident supporting young people with behavioural challenges
• Calm under pressure and able to build strong relationships
• Passionate about helping young people succeed
• A positive role model with strong communication skills

Previous experience supporting students with SEMH, behavioural needs, autism, ADHD or trauma‑informed practice would be beneficial but not essential.

This role is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in:

• Teaching Assistant or Learning Support roles
• Youth work
• Behaviour mentoring
• Sports coaching
• Care or support work
• Residential childcare
• Psychology or education graduates
• Mental health support roles

If you have experience supporting young people, vulnerable individuals or behaviour management, your skills are highly transferable.