At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with social, emotional, and mental health needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Gillas Lane Primary Academy, dedicated to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Positive work culture, professional development, and leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and student welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting children and a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 25000 € per year.
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time, Term Time plus INSET Days (39 weeks)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: Grade 3 (Scale point 7-11) aligned with Trust pay structure
Start Date: September 2026
About the Role
As a Teaching Assistant within the unit, you will play a vital role in helping to create a high quality, inclusive and emotionally supportive provision for children with social, emotional and mental health needs. You will work closely with the class teacher, senior leaders, external professionals and families to ensure pupils receive the personalised support they need to thrive. A key part of your role will be to model positive relationships, provide consistent, nurturing support, and help implement the strategies and routines that enable pupils to feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.
Responsibilities
- Support the creation of a high quality, inclusive and emotionally supportive provision for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Work closely with the class teachers, senior leaders and wider staff team to ensure pupils receive personalised support.
- Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils using trauma-informed and relational approaches.
- Model calm, consistent and emotionally available behaviour throughout the school day.
- Support pupils to regulate using agreed strategies, routines and personalised plans.
- Help implement visual supports, structured routines and predictable transitions to promote a sense of safety.
- Assist teachers in delivering learning activities and adapting resources so all pupils can access the curriculum.
- Provide targeted one-to-one or small group support as directed by the teacher.
- Contribute to maintaining a nurturing, low arousal learning environment.
- Work collaboratively with external professionals and families as part of a holistic support approach.
- Support the monitoring of pupils’ progress, engagement and emotional wellbeing through observations and feedback to the teacher.
- Demonstrate consistency, reliability and high-quality practice in all interactions with pupils.
Benefits
- A positive, supportive working environment where staff wellbeing matters.
- The chance to shape and grow a developing SEMH provision.
- A leadership team who value initiative, creativity and evidence-based practice.
- Pupils who are enthusiastic, individual and rewarding to work with.
- Access to tailored professional development, including SEMH-specific training and leadership opportunities.
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce and we positively welcome applicants from all sections of the community. Applications with disabilities will be granted an interview if the essential job criteria are met. Aim High Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS Enhanced Disclosure. Aim High Academy Trust safeguards and protects its students and staff by being committed to respond in accordance with Sunderland Local Safeguarding Board Procedures. Applicants can view the Trust’s safeguarding policies via our website.
SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant employer: North East Ambition
At Gillas Lane Primary Academy, we pride ourselves on fostering a positive and supportive work environment where staff wellbeing is paramount. As a SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant, you will have the unique opportunity to shape a developing provision while receiving tailored professional development and support from a leadership team that values creativity and evidence-based practice. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of enthusiastic pupils in a nurturing setting that prioritises emotional health and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Gillas Lane Primary Academy. They can give you the inside scoop on what it’s really like working there and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to SEMH support. Think about how you would model positive relationships and handle challenging situations. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for supporting children with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for working with children who have social, emotional, and mental health needs. Share any relevant experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for.
Be Authentic:We want to get to know the real you! Don’t be afraid to share your personal approach to building relationships with pupils. Authenticity can really make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive and review your application, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a SEMH Unit Teaching Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with social, emotional, and mental health challenges. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for creating an inclusive environment.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to build positive relationships and provide nurturing support. Think about times when you've successfully implemented strategies to help students feel safe and ready to learn, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the school's approach to SEMH support and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the school is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be open about your teaching philosophy and how you connect with students. The interviewers want to see the real you, so let your personality shine through while discussing your commitment to supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing.
