SEMH Teaching Assistant – Slough

SENDhelp is recruiting an experienced SEMH Teaching Assistant for a specialist school in Slough. The school requires someone with a strong, demonstrable background supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and challenging behaviour.

Previous experience in a UK pupil referral unit, alternative provision or school supporting pupils with significant behavioural needs is essential. This is not an entry-level position, and applicants must be able to show relevant experience clearly through their employment history.

Key details

• Job title: SEMH Teaching Assistant

• Location: Slough

• Setting: Specialist SEMH and challenging-behaviour provision, Primary

• Experience: Relevant UK school experience is essential

• Required background: Previous work in a pupil referral unit, alternative provision or challenging-behaviour school

The role

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will support pupils whose social, emotional and mental health needs can affect their learning, relationships and behaviour.

You will work alongside teachers and pastoral staff to provide consistent classroom support, reinforce clear boundaries and help pupils remain engaged with education. Some pupils may display emotional dysregulation, verbal aggression, refusal or other challenging behaviour, so the successful candidate must be confident responding calmly, professionally and consistently.

Building trust will be central to the role. You will need to communicate clearly, listen carefully and maintain positive professional relationships without compromising expectations or boundaries.

What you will be doing

• Supporting pupils with SEMH needs in lessons and during structured activities

• Providing individual and small-group support

• Helping pupils engage with learning and return to tasks following periods of dysregulation

• Using consistent and appropriate behaviour-management strategies

• Responding calmly and professionally to challenging situations

• Reinforcing routines, expectations and clear boundaries

• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, communication and social interaction

• Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals

• Recording relevant observations and reporting concerns accurately

• Following individual support plans, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures

• Helping to maintain a safe, structured and respectful learning environment

Essential requirements

• Recent and demonstrable experience working in a UK school

• Previous experience in a pupil referral unit, alternative provision or setting supporting significant challenging behaviour

• Direct experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs

• Strong behaviour-management and de-escalation skills

• The ability to remain calm, consistent and professional under pressure

• Clear and effective verbal and written communication

• The ability to build positive relationships while maintaining firm boundaries

• A reliable, resilient and team-focused approach

• A clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities

• Employment history that clearly demonstrates relevant SEMH and challenging-behaviour experience

Applications without relevant UK school experience or direct experience supporting pupils with SEMH and challenging behaviour may not be suitable for this vacancy.

Desirable experience

• Experience working with pupils who have been excluded from mainstream education

• Knowledge of trauma-informed or restorative approaches

• Experience supporting pupils with emotional dysregulation and barriers to learning

• Training in positive handling, de-escalation or behaviour support

• Experience working alongside pastoral teams, SENCOs or external professionals

What SENDhelp offers

• Competitive PAYE pay

• No umbrella-company deductions

• A dedicated SENDhelp consultant

• Relevant training

• Interview preparation

• Support with onboarding and compliance

• Ongoing support throughout your placement

• Access to opportunities within specialist and inclusive schools

Experienced candidates who meet the essential requirements are encouraged to apply with an up-to-date CV clearly showing their UK school, SEMH and challenging-behaviour experience.

As a specialist SEND recruiter, child safety and welfare is our number one priority. That is why we conduct thorough checks on all our candidates, and ensure that they abide by our Candidate Code of Conduct.

All Candidates will be required to provide an Enhanced DBS that is actively registered on the Update Service, or apply for one as part of the onboarding process. This is in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines. For further information please see our Safer Recruitment Policy.

SENDhelp is an equal opportunities employer.