Pastoral Teaching Assistant (JN -042026-171057) East Grinstead, England
Salary: GBP22746 – GBP23980 per annum
Teaching Assistant (SEMH / Behaviour Support) – Specialist SEN School
Location: West Sussex (near Crawley / East Grinstead) | Salary: £22,746 – £23,980 per annum (dependent on qualifications and experience) | Contract: Full-Time | Term Time Only (36 weeks per year) | Hours: Monday to Friday | Start Date: ASAP / Flexible Start Available
Are you passionate about supporting young people with Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs?
We are recruiting Teaching Assistants to join a specialist SEN school in West Sussex supporting students with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, Autism (ASC), and communication difficulties across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
This is a highly rewarding opportunity for Teaching Assistants, Behaviour Mentors, Support Workers, Care Workers, Psychology graduates, or individuals with experience supporting young people with additional needs who are looking to build a long-term career within specialist education.
Both temp-to-perm and permanent opportunities are available. Please note that due to the location of the school, a drivers license is required.
The Role
As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting students both inside and outside of the classroom, helping them regulate emotions, develop positive relationships, and re-engage with learning.
The school provides a therapeutic and highly supportive environment with small class sizes (typically 5–6 pupils) and a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, behaviour support, and personalised learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting students across a range of subjects and activities
- Providing 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEMH and SEND needs
- Assisting with emotional regulation and behaviour support strategies
- Building strong, positive, and consistent relationships with students
- Supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour or anxiety around learning
- Helping create a calm, structured, and safe learning environment
- Encouraging confidence, resilience, independence, and engagement
- Working closely with teachers, pastoral teams, and therapists
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Experienced working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, or behavioural needs
- From a Teaching Assistant, Behaviour Support, Youth Work, Care, or Pastoral background
- Psychology graduates or aspiring education/mental health professionals
- Calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent
- Confident supporting behaviour and emotional wellbeing
- Able to build trust and positive relationships with vulnerable young people
- Strong communicators and effective team players
- Drivers (preferred due to school location)
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
- Small class sizes and high levels of staff support
- Temp-to-perm and direct permanent opportunities available
- Funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification pathway
- Supportive leadership team and therapeutic school environment
- Strong focus on staff wellbeing and work-life balance
- Free school meals
- Pension and healthcare-related benefits
- Ongoing CPD and career progression opportunities
#J-18808-Ljbffr…