HLTA (SEMH) in Sheffield

Lift Firth Park, Fircroft Avenue, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S5 0SD, United Kingdom

Salary: NJC 15-17 £25,709 - £26,564 (Actual) £30,024 - £31,022 (FTE) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: 37 hours term time plus 5 days (39 weeks)

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 4th Aug - 12 noon

Interview date: 10/11th August (TBC)

Start date: September/October 2026

Make a lasting difference where it matters most. At Lift Firth Park, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face. We're looking for a compassionate, resilient and skilled Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our onsite Alternative Provision, supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is far more than a classroom support role. You'll work alongside teachers to help pupils overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, regulate emotions and experience success both academically and personally. You'll also have the opportunity to lead learning, deliver targeted interventions, cover lessons and mentor colleagues, making a real difference every single day.

If you're passionate about helping young people thrive and want to be part of a team committed to transforming lives through education, we'd love to hear from you.

Why this role matters

Every interaction you have can change the trajectory of a young person's future. By providing consistency, encouragement and high-quality support, you'll help students develop the confidence, resilience and skills they need to re-engage with learning and achieve their potential.

At Lift Firth Park, every role contributes to our mission of delivering an excellent education, in every classroom, every day.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead targeted 1:1 and small group interventions to support emotional regulation, resilience, behaviour for learning and academic progress, particularly for pupils with SEND and SEMH needs.
• Work closely with teachers to plan learning, assess progress, provide feedback and adapt support to meet individual student needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, acting as a mentor and key adult to promote confidence, independence, wellbeing and positive behaviour.
• Support the development of an inclusive Alternative Provision by creating safe, engaging learning environments where every student can succeed.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, SEND staff and families to support student progress and strengthen home-school partnerships.
• Deliver engaging lessons and provide planned and emergency classroom cover, ensuring high-quality learning continues in the teacher's absence.
• Where appropriate, support and develop Teaching Assistants through coaching, feedback and day-to-day leadership.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in supporting children or young people, particularly those with SEMH, SEND or additional learning needs.
• Confident leading learning, delivering interventions and covering lessons independently.
• Skilled at building positive relationships and using restorative, trauma-informed approaches to support behaviour and wellbeing.
• An excellent communicator who works collaboratively with colleagues, families and external professionals.
• Organised, adaptable and able to remain calm, resilient and solution-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Committed to helping every child achieve their potential through high expectations, compassion and consistency.
• Qualified to HLTA standard - minimum of Level 3 (or able to demonstrate equivalent experience), with strong literacy and numeracy skills. For those candidates with demonstrable experience but that do not hold the relevant qualifications for HLTA you will be enrolled onto our Level 3 (higher TA) apprenticeship programme.

Why Lift Firth Park?

Lift Firth Park is a vibrant, mixed secondary school for students aged 11-16. Located in Shiregreen, Sheffield, we serve around 1,200 pupils and reflect a richly diverse community, with more than a third of students speaking English as an additional language.

The school is currently in an exciting period of new leadership and transformational change, and we are already seeing the positive impact, in the classroom, across the curriculum and throughout our culture. This is an excellent time to join our team. We are looking for individuals who share our dedication to inclusive, aspirational education and who are excited to contribute to our renewed vision and ambitious future.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.