SEMH Teaching Assistants & Learning Support Assistants in Hailsham

Can you help a young person find their way back into a lesson after a difficult start? Sometimes that means giving them a minute to settle, helping them understand what's expected or finding a way back into the task that feels manageable. It takes patience and judgement, and it's one of the parts of SEMH support that can make the work so rewarding.

I'm looking to hear from Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants and people with relevant experience supporting young people around Hailsham, Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. I'm building my network for future work in settings supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

What could the work look like? The details depend on the school and the pupils you support. In one setting, you might work alongside a teacher to help a small group get started with a lesson. In another, you might spend more time supporting a pupil who finds transitions difficult or needs help to communicate when things feel overwhelming. You could be helping a pupil practise asking for a break, supporting them to work alongside a peer or sharing an observation with the teacher so the team can agree what to try next. You'll need to follow the school's approach and work with colleagues so pupils know what to expect from the adults around them.

There will be difficult moments. The work calls for calm responses, clear boundaries and the ability to start again with a pupil after something hasn't gone well. There's real satisfaction in seeing that consistency pay off: a pupil comes back into the room sooner than they used to, tries an activity they'd normally avoid or starts to tell you what they need before frustration takes over.

Who might enjoy this kind of work? I'd like to hear from people with experience in SEMH, SEND, alternative provision or mainstream pastoral and classroom support. If you come from youth work, care, coaching or mentoring, I'm also interested in how you've used those skills with young people. Some assignments require previous specialist experience, so we'll talk honestly about where your background fits.

Before moving into recruitment, I worked as a Specialist Teaching Assistant and an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. When we speak, I'd like to hear what has worked for you in practice, what you've learnt from the more difficult days and where you'd like to develop.

If you want to build your skills in supporting pupils' emotional needs, we can discuss the optional Thrive Approach: Introductory Skills & Strategies course and other training through Teaching Personnel's CPD Academy.

Pay and registration Teaching Assistant and LSA work is paid from £92.60 per day. Before starting work, you'll need an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS registered on the Update Service, your full employment and education history, and references covering 24 months of employment in total where possible. If you need a new DBS, I can guide you through applying via Matrix Screening and joining the Update Service. Applicants cover the associated costs.