At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with social, emotional, and mental health needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Academic Appointments, dedicated to making a difference in education.
- Benefits: Rewarding role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and contribute to a positive learning atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting children.
SEMH Teaching Assistant
Academic Appointments are seeking compassionate, resilient and proactive SEMH Teaching Assistants to support children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs at our specialist settings and partner schools in Leeds. This is a rewarding opportunity to work closely with teaching staff and pastoral teams to help pupils feel safe, engaged and ready to learn in a nurturing and structured environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs.
- Support pupils to regulate emotions, develop positive relationships and engage with learning.
- Implement strategies set out by the class teacher, SENDCo and other relevant professionals.
- Promote a calm, safe and inclusive learning environment.
- Use positive behaviour support and de‑escalation strategies consistently and effectively.
- Monitor progress, behaviour and wellbeing, and provide feedback to teaching staff.
- Support pupils during transitions, breaktimes, and other less structured parts of the school day.
- Build strong, professional relationships with pupils, families, colleagues and external agencies where appropriate.
- Contribute to safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral support in line with school policies.
Person Specification
- Calm, patient and empathetic approach when working with children and young people.
- Ability to build trusting and respectful relationships.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Confidence in managing challenging behaviour in a positive and professional manner.
- Understanding of the barriers to learning experienced by pupils with SEMH needs.
- Flexible, reliable and committed to inclusive practice.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- A genuine passion for supporting children to achieve their potential.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND or additional needs.
- Experience in a school, alternative provision, youth work, care or support setting.
- Relevant Teaching Assistant or childcare qualification.
- Training in behaviour support, de‑escalation or trauma‑informed practice.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
All roles require an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
#J-18808-LjbffrTeaching Assistant - SEMH in Leeds employer: Academic Appointments Ltd
Academic Appointments Ltd is an excellent employer for those seeking a flexible teaching role in Wakefield, offering competitive pay and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' learning. With a supportive work culture and dedicated Primary Consultants, teachers can expect ongoing professional development and growth opportunities while enjoying the variety of working across different primary schools in the area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant - SEMH in Leeds
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Academic Appointments Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Academic Appointments Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Academic Appointments Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Academic Appointments Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant - SEMH in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Academic Appointments Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Academic Appointments Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Academic Appointments Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
