Job Description

1:1 Teaching Assistant

SANZA Teaching Agency is looking for a committed 1:1 Teaching Assistant to step into one of the most meaningful roles in education - a specialist SEMH support position within a mainstream primary school in Croydon, where your dedication and presence will genuinely transform children's lives.

About This Role: A thriving mainstream primary school in Croydon is looking for a caring 1:1 Teaching Assistant to provide dedicated, personalised support for a child with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

No two days are identical, but you might expect to: greet your pupil at the school gates and help them transition calmly into the school day; provide quiet, consistent support during classroom learning; use agreed strategies to recognise early signs of distress and de-escalate before situations escalate; support social interactions at lunch and break times; liaise with the class teacher and SENCO to adapt activities; and celebrate the small wins that, for this child, are anything but small.

Why You'll Love Working with SANZA:

  • Fair pay, fairly paid - Enhanced competitive PAYE rates for this specialist role, with complete transparency. No umbrella companies. Ever.
  • A school that truly gets it - A warm, inclusive team where SEMH is understood and your role is genuinely valued
  • A role with real momentum - Long-term placement with genuine, structured opportunity to go permanent
  • Work on your doorstep - Based locally in Croydon, so you can save your energy for where it counts
  • A consultant who's genuinely in your corner - Not just a name on an email; an experienced SEMH specialist who supports you every step of the way
  • FREE, unlimited CPD - worth thousands - Exclusive access to 2,500+ high-quality courses via The National College (education's #1 provider). Invest in your career at zero cost.

We would love to speak with you if you have -

  • Experience as a Teaching Assistant supporting children with SEMH, behavioural, or complex emotional needs
  • A grounding in trauma-informed practice and the resilience to provide consistent, nurturing 1:1 support
  • Experience supporting children with any of the following:
    • ADHD
    • ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Attachment difficulties
    • Self-harming behaviours or emotional dysregulation
    • Speech & Language difficulties
    • Dyslexia or Dyspraxia
  • Superb de-escalation skills and an unshakeable calm under pressure
  • The emotional strength to show up - reliably, warmly, and consistently - for a child who needs one trusted adult
  • A deep, genuine belief that every child, no matter their history, deserves the chance to thrive
  • An Enhanced DBS on the update service (or readiness to apply for one)
  • An unwavering commitment to safeguarding and trauma-informed values

This role isn't for everyone - but if it's for you, you already know it.

Apply now or reach out to Stuart Lovelock directly for a friendly, completely confidential conversation: 📧 stuart.lovelock@sanzateaching.com 📞 020 7845 6240