training and education
E-learning modules
£90 - £95 per day
Bury St Edmunds
Are you a compassionate, resilient, and highly skilled mentor with a proven ability to support young people facing Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges? We are seeking a dedicated professional for a Full-Time SEMH Teaching Assistant role, commencing in January 2026, at a supportive provision in Bury St Edmunds!
Do you possess expertise in de-escalation, relationship building, and positive behaviour management? This role requires a calm, consistent presence to help students regulate their emotions, access a functional curriculum, and reintegrate successfully into learning.
Are you seeking a long-term, stable role where your commitment to therapeutic support and inclusion is paramount, within a team dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable students?
The Role:
This is a critical, Full-Time opportunity for a specialist SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive educational setting in Bury St Edmunds on a long-term contract (with high potential for permanent appointment). The role has a secure start date of January 2026.
Your primary function will be to act as a key worker and emotional guide for students who have faced adversity or struggle with emotional regulation, attachment, or managing their behaviour within a conventional school setting. Working closely with the Head of Provision and therapeutic staff, you will:
- Implement tailored Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) and risk assessments.
- Provide intensive in-the-moment support and crisis intervention.
- Facilitate small group sessions focused on social skills and emotional literacy.
This role requires energy, empathy, and absolute consistency to provide the safety and structure students need to thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide consistent, 1:1 supervision and mentoring to students who display challenging behaviour or require intensive emotional support.
- Expertly utilise de-escalation techniques and positive behaviour strategies (e.g., Team Teach, MAPA) to minimise incidents and promote self-regulation.
- Collaborate with the class teacher to differentiate the curriculum and ensure accessibility for students with SEMH needs.
- Facilitate students' safe transitions and reintegration into the classroom environment following an emotional crisis.
- Maintain meticulous records regarding student behaviour, interventions used, and progress toward therapeutic and academic goals.
- Act as a positive role model, upholding professional boundaries and promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
Essential Profile:
- Significant, demonstrable experience working successfully with children or young people presenting with complex SEMH needs and challenging behaviour.
- Experience or training in recognised de-escalation techniques (e.g., Team Teach, CPI, MAPA) is highly advantageous.
- Exceptional resilience, emotional robustness, and an unflappable nature under pressure.
- A solid understanding of the impact of trauma, attachment, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on learning and behaviour.
- A professional qualification in a relevant field (e.g., Youth Work, Social Care, Teaching Assistant).
- A current Enhanced Child DBS on the Update Service (or the willingness to process one immediately).
- Full-Time commitment to start the role in January 2026.
What We Offer:
- A competitive daily rate
- The chance to work within a specialist, supportive, and highly trained team in Bury St Edmunds.
- Access to specialised training (e.g., Attachment Theory, Trauma-Informed Practice).
- A profoundly meaningful career path focused entirely on the emotional welfare and life outcomes of young people.
- £300 Refer A Friend Scheme.
How to Apply
If you are a dedicated and supportive individual ready to make a difference in a school setting, please apply immediately with your CV or contact Neeraj at neeraj.kommaravalli@randstad.co.uk for more information.
We are the UK market leader for recruitment in education. We have nearly two decades of experience helping teachers and support staff find temporary and permanent roles in schools, colleges, and nurseries. We partner with over 2,500 schools each week, supporting more than 135,000 children every day across the country, which allows us to find the right match for your skills.
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