At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEMH needs to overcome learning barriers and achieve their potential.
- Company: Specialist SEMH school in Hornchurch with a nurturing environment.
- Benefits: Excellent training, professional development, and a supportive working environment.
- Other info: Temporary position with potential for permanent role; safeguarding training provided.
- Why this job: Make a lasting difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEMH needs and a passion for supporting complex emotional needs.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 28600 £ per year.
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential? We are working with a specialist SEMH school in Hornchurch that is looking to appoint a dedicated, resilient, and compassionate Learning Support Assistant to join their team from September. This specialist setting supports pupils with severe Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, many of whom have experienced significant challenges in their education.
The school provides a structured, therapeutic, and nurturing environment where positive relationships, consistency, and emotional wellbeing are at the heart of everything they do. Their aim is to help pupils build confidence, develop emotional resilience, and successfully re‑engage with learning.
As a Learning Support Assistant, you will work closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and therapists to provide tailored support both in and out of the classroom. You will help pupils regulate their emotions, manage challenging behaviours, build positive relationships, and access learning through consistent routines and positive behaviour strategies.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs, SEND, or challenging behaviour
- Be calm, patient, resilient, and empathetic in challenging situations
- Have a genuine passion for supporting pupils with complex emotional and behavioural needs
- Be confident in building positive, trusting relationships with pupils, staff, and families
- Be able to remain consistent and professional while working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team
This is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to join a dedicated school where you can make a lasting difference to the lives of young people. The school offers a supportive working environment, excellent training, and opportunities for ongoing professional development.
If you're looking for a role where you can positively impact pupils every day while developing your career in specialist education, we'd love to hear from you. All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service. Full assistance provided.
Learning Support Assistant - SEMH School employer: Protocol Education Ltd
Join a nurturing nursery setting in LS11 where your passion for early years education can truly shine. We prioritise a supportive work culture that values your contributions, offers ongoing professional development, and fosters strong relationships with children and their families. With a focus on creating a safe and engaging environment, you'll find every day rewarding as you help little learners thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Support Assistant - SEMH School
✨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 Protocol Education 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 Protocol Education 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 Protocol Education 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 Protocol Education 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 Learning Support Assistant - SEMH School
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 Protocol Education Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Protocol Education 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 Protocol Education 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.
