HLTA | SEMH Behaviour Support

Brentwood | £100–£130 per day PAYE | Full-Time | Temp to Perm | September Start

Not every success in an SEMH setting looks like academic progress.

Sometimes it's a pupil staying in the classroom for an extra ten minutes.

Sometimes it's a young person accepting support from an adult they previously wouldn't engage with.

And sometimes, it's simply getting through a difficult moment safely, calmly and together.

We're currently supporting a specialist SEMH school in Brentwood that is looking for a committed and resilient HLTA to join their team this September.

This is an opportunity for someone who understands that, when working with young people with complex needs, connection comes before correction.

If you're passionate about building trust, maintaining consistency and helping vulnerable pupils overcome barriers to learning, this could be an excellent next step.

About the School

The school supports young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, including pupils who may have experienced trauma, disrupted schooling and significant challenges outside of education.

Their approach is centred around understanding the reasons behind behaviour rather than simply responding to what is happening on the surface.

You'll be working within a calm, structured and supportive environment, where expectations are clear and relationships are at the heart of the school's approach.

Staff work closely together, with teachers, pastoral colleagues and specialist professionals sharing responsibility for supporting pupils effectively.

The Role

As an HLTA, you'll play an important role in both the academic and pastoral development of the pupils you work with.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Leading lessons and learning activities for individuals and small groups
• Covering classes and supporting teaching staff where required
• Helping pupils manage periods of dysregulation and emotional difficulty
• Supporting young people to develop effective regulation strategies
• Responding to challenging situations using calm, consistent de-escalation techniques
• Building positive relationships with pupils who may initially be reluctant to engage
• Maintaining appropriate boundaries and consistent expectations
• Working closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral staff
• Providing the stability and consistency that can make a significant difference to a young person's day

This isn't about having all the answers.

It's about being reliable, patient, emotionally resilient and consistent, even when the day doesn't go to plan.

Who We're Looking For

We're open to candidates from a range of backgrounds.

You may already be working as an experienced HLTA, or perhaps you're an experienced SEND Teaching Assistant looking to take the next step.

Equally, experience in youth work, mentoring, residential care, behaviour support or similar settings could be highly relevant.

Above all, we're looking for someone who can respond thoughtfully when situations become challenging.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH needs
• The ability to remain calm and professional during challenging behaviour
• A patient and consistent approach
• An understanding that positive relationships take time to develop
• Confidence establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Experience leading learning, supporting lessons or managing a classroom
• A reflective approach to behaviour and pupil support
• A genuine commitment to helping vulnerable young people make progress

What the School Can Offer

The school recognises that supporting pupils with complex needs requires well-trained and well-supported staff.

As part of the team, you'll benefit from:

• Specialist SEMH and behaviour training
• Continued professional development
• A clear and consistent behaviour framework
• Trauma-informed and restorative approaches
• Strong pastoral and leadership support
• A positive focus on staff wellbeing
• The potential to secure a permanent position following the temporary period

Why This Role Matters

Working in an SEMH setting isn't always easy.

There will be difficult days. There will be setbacks. And progress may not always be immediately visible.

But the small moments matter.

A pupil who begins to trust you.

A student who manages to remain in a lesson when they previously couldn't.

A young person who starts asking for help instead of walking away.

Those moments are often the foundation for much bigger changes.

If you're an HLTA who wants to make a genuine difference, enjoys working as part of a supportive team and understands the importance of patience, consistency and strong relationships, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Contact Elisha: elisha@psinclusion.co.uk