Pastoral Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant (SEMH / Behaviour Support) - Specialist SEN School

Location: West Sussex (near Crawley / East Grinstead)
Salary: £22,746 - £23,980 per annum (dependent on qualifications and experience)
Contract: Full-Time | Term Time Only (36 weeks per year)
Hours: Monday to Friday
Start Date: ASAP / Flexible Start Available

Are you passionate about supporting young people with Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

We are recruiting Teaching Assistants to join a specialist SEN school in West Sussex supporting students with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, Autism (ASC), and communication difficulties across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity for Teaching Assistants, Behaviour Mentors, Support Workers, Care Workers, Psychology graduates, or individuals with experience supporting young people with additional needs who are looking to build a long-term career within specialist education.

Both temp-to-perm and permanent opportunities are available. Please note that due to the location of the school, a drivers license is required.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting students both inside and outside of the classroom, helping them regulate emotions, develop positive relationships, and re-engage with learning.

The school provides a therapeutic and highly supportive environment with small class sizes (typically 5-6 pupils) and a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, behaviour support, and personalised learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting students across a range of subjects and activities
• Providing 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEMH and SEND needs
• Assisting with emotional regulation and behaviour support strategies
• Building strong, positive, and consistent relationships with students
• Supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour or anxiety around learning
• Helping create a calm, structured, and safe learning environment
• Encouraging confidence, resilience, independence, and engagement
• Working closely with teachers, pastoral teams, and therapists

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for individuals who are:

• Experienced working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or behavioural needs
• From a Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Support, Youth Work, Care, or Pastoral background
• Psychology graduates or aspiring education/mental health professionals
• Calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent
• Confident supporting behaviour and emotional wellbeing
• Able to build trust and positive relationships with vulnerable young people
• Strong communicators and effective team players
• Drivers (preferred due to school location)

A Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable but not essential.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Small class sizes and high levels of staff support
• Temp-to-perm and direct permanent opportunities available
• Funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification pathway
• Supportive leadership team and therapeutic school environment
• Strong focus on staff wellbeing and work-life balance
• Free school meals
• Pension and healthcare-related benefits
• Ongoing CPD and career progression opportunities

Apply Now

If you are passionate about supporting young people with SEMH and additional needs and are looking for a long-term opportunity within specialist education, apply today to be considered for this rewarding role.

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