Mental Health Teaching Assistant - Mole Valley, Surrey
September 2026 Start
£100 - £110 PAYE per day
Permanent contract opportunity
What does it take to sit with a young person while their anxiety peaks, and not flinch? How long are you willing to wait to earn trust from someone who has been let down before?
If those questions feel familiar rather than abstract, keep reading.
About the Role
This SEN school in Mole Valley, Surrey, is looking for a Mental Health Teaching Assistant to join the team from September 2026. The role sits within a small, close staff group supporting pupils aged 7 to 16 with Autism, ADHD, and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Every pupil holds an EHCP.
About the School
Many pupils here carry high anxiety and low confidence into each school day. Some have had experiences elsewhere that make trust hard to offer freely. Staff and therapy teams work closely together around each pupil, and classes stay small enough that every adult genuinely knows the young people they support. Wellbeing and academic progress are treated as equally important, not as separate goals.
The Role
- Stay close to pupils during moments of anxiety or dysregulation, without rushing them past it
- Work alongside Teachers and therapy staff to carry a consistent, calm approach through the school day
- Notice small shifts in a pupil's mood early, before they build into something bigger
- Support pupils to try again after a difficult moment, without shame attached to it
- Help build the kind of predictable routine that lets an anxious young person feel safe enough to learn
What We're Looking For
Direct SEN experience is not essential. Psychology, criminology and education graduates often do well in this role, along with youth workers, learning mentors, care staff and residential support workers who already understand what it takes to stay steady with someone who is struggling. What matters most is genuine willingness to learn, patience, and the ability to work well as part of a close team.
Pay and Hours
- Pay: £100 to £110 PAYE per day
- Start date: September 2026
- Contract: Long-term to permanent
- Hours: Full-time, term time only, 8am to 4pm
Parker Smith Inclusion is a specialist SEND recruitment agency. We put people first, taking the time to get to know you and finding the right career opportunity. We recruit across a wide range of SEND settings for all career stages, including support staff, Teachers, Therapists and senior leaders. If you are keen to explore other opportunities, get in touch at heeji@psinclusion.co.uk or call Heeji on 0203 011 4848.