At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs to thrive in education.
- Company: A supportive secondary school in Bradford focused on student wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, ongoing professional development, and a friendly work environment.
- Other info: Join a team that values inclusion, wellbeing, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help them achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH or similar needs; strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
We’re looking for a dedicated, resilient and compassionate SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a supportive secondary school in Bradford. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning, develop their confidence and achieve their potential. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, helping them to engage positively with education and develop the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
What you’ll be doing:
- Providing 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs
- Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions and manage challenging behaviours
- Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced barriers to learning
- Supporting pupils to access the curriculum and remain engaged in lessons
- Working alongside teachers and pastoral staff to implement individual support strategies and interventions
- Helping pupils develop their confidence, resilience, independence and social skills
- Using positive behaviour strategies to encourage appropriate attitudes and engagement
- Supporting pupils during times of dysregulation, helping them to return to learning in a calm and appropriate manner
- Monitoring pupil progress and sharing relevant observations with teachers and pastoral teams
- Supporting the school’s wider safeguarding, behaviour and inclusion strategies
What we’re looking for:
- The ideal SEMH Teaching Assistant will be patient, consistent and emotionally resilient, with the ability to build meaningful relationships with young people and maintain clear boundaries.
- You should have previous experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, behavioural or additional needs
- Experience working within a school, college, youth, care or similar setting
- A calm and measured approach when managing challenging or unpredictable situations
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- The ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- A strong understanding of positive behaviour management and emotional regulation
- Resilience and patience when supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour
- The confidence to de-escalate situations and respond appropriately under pressure
- A consistent approach and the ability to follow agreed support and behaviour strategies
- A genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential
- The ability to work effectively as part of a wider team, communicating with teachers, pastoral staff and other professionals
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Experience or qualifications in education, SEN, youth work, counselling, psychology, childcare or similar fields would be advantageous. A Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable but not essential where relevant experience can be demonstrated.
About the school:
The school provides a calm, settled and supportive environment, with Ofsted highlighting the warm and respectful relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils are encouraged to speak openly with trusted adults about their worries and concerns, while staff use positive relationships and clear routines to create a caring environment. The school has a strong focus on supporting pupils’ social and emotional wellbeing, with Ofsted noting that pupils who require additional support are identified and provided with targeted programmes to help them successfully return to their regular timetable.
This is an excellent opportunity for an SEMH Teaching Assistant who wants to join a school where relationships, wellbeing, inclusion and pupil progress are taken seriously.
Why choose Engage Education?
- We pay all our staff in line with the Agency Worker Regulations, meaning your pay will be equal to that of a permanent employee
- You will benefit from your own dedicated Engage consultant who will provide ongoing support and guidance
- You will be invited to our wide range of continued professional development (CPD) training sessions, provided by our in‑house team of experienced senior leaders. These are completely free to attend!
- Receive a £50 Amazon voucher when you refer friends!
All candidates will be required to undertake a valid enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance will be provided. By applying for this role, you are consenting to Engage Education Ltd storing your details in our fully encrypted database, in line with GDPR requirements.
SEMH Teaching Assistant in Bradford employer: Engage Partners Limited
Engage Partners Limited is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their career in education, particularly as a Primary Teaching Assistant Apprentice in Dartford. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers a fully funded Level 3 Apprenticeship, comprehensive training, and mentoring, all within a supportive work culture that values learning and development. This role not only allows you to earn while you learn but also provides a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Teaching Assistant in Bradford
✨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 Engage Partners Limited.
✨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 Engage Partners Limited!
✨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 Engage Partners Limited, 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 Engage Partners Limited 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 SEMH Teaching Assistant in Bradford
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 Engage Partners Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Engage Partners Limited! 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 Engage Partners Limited
✨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.
