training and education
E-learning modules
£90 - £95 per day
Ely
Are you an empathetic, resilient, and grounded professional who understands that "behaviour is communication"?
Can you look past a student's trauma, anxiety, or frustration to help them find a pathway to emotional stability and learning?
If you are looking for a high-impact, full-time role in Ely where your emotional intelligence and de-escalation skills can completely transform a vulnerable young person's school experience, we want to hear from you.
We are seeking a dedicated SEMH Teaching Assistant for an immediate, full-time position at a specialised SEN school in Ely. This setting caters exclusively to pupils with complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, many of whom have associated diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, or attachment disorders. You will be joining a highly resilient, collaborative team of educators, therapists, and support staff who refuse to give up on any child, working together to turn a history of educational challenge into a future of achievement.
Your Responsibilities
- Crisis Prevention & De-escalation: Proactively identify emotional triggers and environmental stressors, utilising positive behaviour support strategies to diffuse high-tension situations before they escalate.
- Targeted 1:1 Coaching: Act as a designated mentor for specific pupils, providing a consistent, calm, and predictable presence that helps them regulate their emotions and rebuild self-esteem.
- Restorative Practice: Lead restorative conversations after behavioural outbursts, helping pupils reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others, and learn healthier coping mechanisms.
- Academic Scaffolding: Help pupils re-engage with learning by breaking down tasks into low-stakes, manageable chunks, reducing the anxiety often associated with academic failure.
- Nurture & Sensory Integration: Facilitate sensory breaks, nurture group activities, and outdoor learning sessions to give pupils the physical and emotional space they need to reset.
- Multidisciplinary Teamwork: Maintain precise records of behavioural patterns and progress, collaborating closely with the SENCO, pastoral leads, and therapeutic staff to ensure a unified approach.
What You'll Bring to the Team
- SEMH or Vulnerable Sector Experience (Essential): Prior experience supporting individuals with complex emotional, behavioural, or mental health needs. Backgrounds in PRUs, Youth Justice, Residential Care, Psychology, Sports Coaching, or the Military/Emergency Services are highly valued.
- Unwavering Resilience: A thick skin, a calm voice, and a deep emotional anchor. You must be able to handle verbal or physical challenges without taking them personally, maintaining absolute professionalism.
- Empathy & Radical Acceptance: A genuine passion for working with marginalised or misunderstood young people, alongside a commitment to unconditional positive regard.
- Reliability & Consistency: Many of these pupils have experienced instability in their lives; they require an LSA who will show up for them every day on a consistent, full-time schedule.
- Compliance: An enhanced Child & Adult DBS on the Update Service (or a willingness to process a new one via Randstad).
Why Partner with Randstad?
- Pay Rates: £90 - £95 per day
- Advanced Professional Development: Supercharge your CV with free, certified CPD training modules in Team-Teach, Trauma-Informed Practice, and Safeguarding.
- A Community that Cares: Work in a highly supportive Ely-based specialist environment where staff debriefs, mental health support, and collective resilience are prioritised.
- Dedicated Local Advocacy: Work directly with Neeraj, your specialist consultant, who understands the complexities of SEMH settings and will support you throughout your placement.
- Referral Rewards: Earn a £300 voucher for every qualified specialist support worker, mentor, or teacher you successfully refer to our team!
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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