Mental Health Teaching Assistant - Corby

Location: Corby, Northamptonshire
Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term | Potential Temp-to-Perm Opportunity
Salary: Competitive daily rates, dependent on experience
Agency: Tradewind Recruitment

Are You Passionate About Supporting Young People with Mental Health and Emotional Needs?

Tradewind Recruitment are currently recruiting a compassionate, resilient and dedicated Mental Health Teaching Assistant to work within a specialist educational setting in Corby.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has a genuine passion for supporting young people who experience social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and require additional support to engage positively with education.

We are looking for individuals who understand that challenging behaviour is often a form of communication and who can look beyond a student's behaviour to recognise the emotional needs, experiences and challenges that may be influencing it.

The school supports young people who may have experienced trauma, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, difficulties forming relationships and other barriers to learning.

As a Mental Health Teaching Assistant, you will play an important role in helping students feel safe, understood and supported while encouraging them to develop confidence, resilience and positive coping strategies.

This is not simply a traditional classroom support role. We are looking for someone who can build meaningful relationships with young people, remain calm during challenging situations and make a genuine difference to their emotional wellbeing and educational development.

The Role

As a Mental Health Teaching Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support to students with social, emotional and mental health needs.

• Supporting young people who may experience anxiety, trauma-related difficulties, emotional dysregulation and challenging behaviour.

• Building positive, trusting relationships with students who may have previously struggled within mainstream education.

• Recognising potential triggers for challenging behaviour and responding using appropriate de-escalation strategies.

• Supporting students in developing emotional regulation, resilience, confidence and positive coping mechanisms.

• Encouraging students to engage with learning and overcome barriers to education.

• Working closely with teaching staff, SENCOs and pastoral teams to provide consistent support.

• Implementing individual behaviour support strategies and following relevant education and support plans.

• Helping students develop social skills, communication and positive relationships.

• Providing reassurance and emotional support during difficult situations.

• Maintaining clear, consistent boundaries while demonstrating empathy, patience and understanding.

• Supporting students with additional needs, including autism, ADHD and other associated learning or behavioural difficulties.

• Monitoring student engagement, behaviour and progress, sharing relevant observations with staff.

• Promoting a safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

• Following safeguarding procedures and supporting the welfare of vulnerable young people.

What Are We Looking For?

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have a strong understanding of mental health, emotional wellbeing and the challenges faced by vulnerable young people.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience supporting children, young people or vulnerable individuals with mental health, emotional or behavioural needs.

• Understand the importance of trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.

• Be confident supporting young people who may display challenging or distressed behaviour.

• Have a patient, empathetic and non-judgemental approach.

• Be able to remain calm, professional and supportive in emotionally demanding situations.

• Understand the importance of consistent boundaries, positive reinforcement and building trust.

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Be resilient, adaptable and committed to supporting young people's development.

• Be able to work effectively as part of a wider education and pastoral support team.

• Have a genuine passion for improving the lives and opportunities of young people with additional needs.

Previous experience in a school is beneficial but not essential. We recognise that valuable experience supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing can be gained in a variety of professional settings.

We Would Love to Hear From Candidates With Experience In:

• SEMH or SEN schools.

• Mental health support work.

• Children's residential care.

• Therapeutic or trauma-informed care.

• Youth work and mentoring.

• Behaviour support or intervention roles.

• Children's services and family support.

• Psychology or counselling-related roles.

• Learning support or teaching assistance.

• Alternative provision settings.

• Supporting vulnerable children, adolescents or adults with complex emotional needs.

If you have experience supporting individuals with mental health difficulties and are passionate about transferring your skills into education, we would love to hear from you.

Why This Role?

Working as a Mental Health Teaching Assistant can be incredibly rewarding.

Many of the young people within specialist educational settings have experienced significant challenges and may find it difficult to trust adults, manage their emotions or engage consistently with education.

Your role will be about much more than supporting academic work.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Help young people rebuild confidence and develop positive relationships.

• Support students in understanding and managing their emotions.

• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional resilience.

• Celebrate small achievements that can make a si