1:1 SEMH Teaching Assistant – Primary School

North London | Primary School | Full-Time | Long-Term | ASAP Start

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Mentor or SEN professional who is confident supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural needs?

We are working with a supportive primary school in North London that is looking for a resilient and compassionate 1:1 SEMH Teaching Assistant to provide dedicated support to a primary-aged pupil.

This is a relationship-focused role requiring someone who can build trust and consistency with a child while maintaining clear boundaries, routines and expectations.

The pupil may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, behaviour, concentration and engagement with learning, so we are looking for someone patient and confident who understands that behaviour is often a form of communication.

The Role

Working closely with the class teacher, SENCO and wider pastoral/SEN team, you will provide consistent 1:1 support throughout the school day.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing dedicated 1:1 classroom support
• Building a positive and trusting relationship with the pupil
• Supporting emotional regulation and helping the child recognise and communicate their feelings
• Identifying potential triggers and intervening before situations escalate
• Using appropriate de-escalation strategies during challenging moments
• Maintaining clear, consistent boundaries and expectations
• Supporting transitions between lessons, activities and different areas of the school
• Helping the pupil manage frustration, anxiety and changes to routine
• Encouraging and reinforcing positive behaviour
• Supporting the pupil to develop their confidence, resilience and independence
• Helping the child re-engage with learning following periods of dysregulation
• Breaking learning down into manageable tasks and providing encouragement when concentration is difficult
• Supporting positive interactions with peers and adults
• Recording and communicating relevant observations to teachers and SEN staff
• Working consistently with agreed behaviour and support plans

Who Are We Looking For?

We would particularly like to hear from candidates with experience supporting children or young people with:

• SEMH
• Challenging behaviour
• ADHD
• Autism / ASD
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Trauma or attachment needs
• School refusal or disengagement
• Social and communication difficulties

Experience could have been gained within a mainstream school, SEN school, PRU, alternative provision, youth service, residential setting, mentoring programme or similar environment.

Previous experience working specifically as a Teaching Assistant is beneficial, but we will also consider strong candidates from youth work, behaviour mentoring, sports coaching, care or support work who have substantial experience managing challenging situations with young people.

What Are We Looking For Personally?

This role requires someone who is calm, patient and emotionally resilient.

You will need to understand how to be warm and approachable while remaining firm and consistent when necessary.

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Doesn't become easily frustrated when behaviour is challenging
• Can remain calm during difficult situations
• Understands the importance of consistency and routine
• Can recognise when behaviour may be communicating an unmet need
• Builds relationships naturally without becoming overly permissive
• Can praise and encourage positive choices
• Is proactive rather than waiting to be told what to do
• Understands that progress with SEMH pupils can take time

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant difference to one child's experience of school.

Rather than simply managing behaviour, your role will be to help the pupil develop the skills and confidence they need to regulate their emotions, engage positively with adults and peers and access their education.

It would particularly suit someone interested in developing a career within SEN, SEMH, educational psychology, behaviour support, counselling, youth work or pastoral care.

North London | Full-Time | Long-Term | ASAP Start

If you have experience supporting young people with SEMH or challenging behaviour and believe you can provide the consistency, patience and positive relationship this pupil needs, we would love to hear from you.