SEMH Learning Support Assistant

Location: Hastings, St Leonards and surrounding areas
Contract: Full-time opportunities
Agency: Academics Ltd

Could You Be the Positive Influence a Young Person Needs?

Academics is seeking resilient, compassionate and committed SEMH Learning Support Assistants to work in specialist Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) schools across Hastings, St Leonards and the surrounding East Sussex area.

These settings support pupils who may experience emotional dysregulation, anxiety, attachment difficulties, challenging behaviour, ADHD, trauma-related needs and barriers to accessing mainstream education.

For some pupils, building trust with an adult is the first step towards engaging with learning. We're looking for people who can offer consistency, patience and clear boundaries while recognising the individual needs behind a pupil's behaviour.

Your Responsibilities

• Provide tailored support to pupils with SEMH needs, emotional regulation difficulties and behavioural challenges.

• Build positive, professional relationships with pupils who may struggle with trust, confidence or engagement.

• Support de-escalation using appropriate, school-approved strategies.

• Promote emotional regulation, resilience, self-esteem and positive behaviour.

• Help pupils re-engage with learning following periods of dysregulation.

• Maintain consistent boundaries while providing a nurturing and structured environment.

• Work alongside teaching staff to implement individual behaviour and support plans.

Who We're Looking For

• Experience in SEMH, alternative provision, youth work, residential care, mentoring or similar settings is highly desirable.

• Confidence supporting young people who may display challenging behaviour.

• A calm, consistent and non-judgemental approach.

• The ability to remain composed in emotionally demanding situations.

• Strong relationship-building skills and a genuine interest in understanding behaviour as a form of communication.

Candidates with backgrounds in psychology, criminology, youth justice, mental health support or care may be particularly well suited to these roles.

You don't need to have all the answers. You do need patience, resilience and a willingness to learn how to support young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs.

Apply through Academics today to explore SEMH opportunities across Hastings and the surrounding area.

Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy.