SEMH Teaching Assistant - Specialist SEMH School

Location: Sheffield City Centre
Salary: £95-£120 per day
Contract: Full-time | Long-term | September Start

Tradewind Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of a highly regarded specialist SEMH school in Sheffield City Centre for a compassionate and resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dedicated team supporting children and young people aged 7-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Every pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and the school works collaboratively with therapists, educational psychologists and other specialist professionals to provide a holistic, child-centred approach.

The school is built around the values of Respect, Acceptance, Tolerance, Kindness, Learning and Achievement, with a strong focus on creating meaningful relationships that help pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

The Role

• Provide 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEMH needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that enable pupils to feel safe and succeed.
• Support the class teacher in delivering engaging and accessible learning.
• Encourage positive behaviour using restorative and relational approaches.
• Help pupils develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and independence.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and external professionals.
• Contribute to a safe, structured and nurturing learning environment.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND or other additional needs, or has transferable experience from care, youth work, residential care, healthcare or mental health services.
• Is naturally nurturing, patient and genuinely care-focused.
• Understands the importance of building positive relationships before expecting progress.
• Remains calm, resilient and consistent when supporting pupils who may display behaviours that challenge.
• Has a genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers to learning.
• Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team and communicates effectively with colleagues and families.

Schools Approach

The successful candidate will be joining a school whose practice is underpinned by:

• Relational Practice.
• Unconditional Positive Regard.
• Restorative Practice.
• Trauma-Informed Practice.
• Nurture Principles.

The school believes that every child deserves to feel respected, accepted and valued. Through personalised support and strong relationships, staff help pupils develop the confidence, emotional resilience and life skills needed to achieve success both inside and outside the classroom.

Pay Rate

The daily rate for this position is £95-£120 per day.

Where you fall within this pay range will depend on several factors, including:

• Your previous SEMH, SEND or relevant support experience.
• Relevant qualifications, training and transferable skills.
• The budget allocated to the role by the school. While Tradewind Recruitment always strives to secure the highest possible rate for our candidates, the final daily rate will ultimately be determined by the school's available budget for the position. This means that candidates with similar experience and qualifications may receive different rates depending on the funding available for the role.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to work within a highly respected specialist SEMH setting.
• Be part of a school that places relationships, nurture and wellbeing at the centre of everything it does.
• Work alongside experienced teachers, therapists and specialist professionals.
• Access ongoing CPD and career development opportunities.
• Dedicated support from Tradewind Recruitment throughout your placement and beyond.
• Make a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of children and young people every day.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please send your most up-to-date CV to oliver.blyth@twrecruitment.com.

For a confidential discussion about this role or other specialist SEND and SEMH opportunities across Sheffield, please get in touch with Olly at Tradewind Recruitment.