Teaching Assistant – SEMH Secondary
Location: Tower Hamlets
Position: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: Immediate
Salary: TBC
This role goes beyond traditional classroom support. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health and additional Special Educational Needs, while also being confident and skilled enough to independently cover and facilitate curriculum sessions, particularly PSHE and Citizenship.
These subjects form a vital part of the students personal development, emotional wellbeing, and preparation for adulthood. We are therefore looking for a professional who can confidently deliver structured, engaging, and emotionally safe learning experiences.
The successful candidate will:
Classroom and Pastoral Support
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Support pupils aged 11–16 with SEMH and additional learning needs across the curriculum
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Build strong, consistent, and trusting relationships with vulnerable young people
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Support pupils to regulate emotions, engage in learning, and develop positive social interactions
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Implement behaviour support plans, emotional regulation strategies, and individual interventions
PSHE and Citizenship Delivery
You will be expected to confidently step in to cover lessons where required, including the independent delivery of PSHE and Citizenship.
This includes:
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Delivering planned lessons to small classes
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Following schemes of work and adapting content to meet individual pupil needs
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Leading discussions around sensitive and complex themes including:
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Emotional wellbeing and mental health
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Healthy relationships and boundaries
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Identity, diversity, and inclusion
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Online safety and digital citizenship
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Rights, responsibilities, democracy, and the law
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Conflict resolution and community awareness
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Personal safety and decision-making
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Creating a safe classroom culture where pupils feel able to discuss sensitive issues respectfully
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Using age-appropriate, differentiated teaching approaches to support pupils with SEMH and SEN needs
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Managing challenging conversations, emotional responses, or disclosures with professionalism and sensitivity
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Identifying teachable moments linked to emotional literacy, resilience, and social development
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Supporting pupils to reflect on choices, consequences, and personal accountability
Essential Experience
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Experience working with secondary-aged pupils in education, youth work, alternative provision, or specialist settings
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Proven experience supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs
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Experience supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, attachment needs, trauma-related behaviours, or learning difficulties
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Experience leading small group interventions, mentoring sessions, or classroom learning activities
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Experience covering lessons or confidently facilitating learning in the absence of a teacher
Curriculum Delivery
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Confidence in independently leading and managing a classroom environment
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Ability to deliver engaging PSHE and Citizenship sessions
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Understanding of the importance of personal development, emotional literacy, and social responsibility in secondary education
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Ability to adapt lesson content for pupils with a range of cognitive, emotional, and communication needs
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Ability to facilitate discussion-based learning while maintaining clear professional boundaries
Desirable
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TA qualification (Level 2 or 3)
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Experience within specialist Pupil Referral Unit, SEMH, or alternative provision settings
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Team Teach, MAPA, or equivalent behaviour intervention training
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Mental health, youth mentoring, coaching, or therapeutic intervention experience
If this role interests you, you're able to start immediately 5 days a week please apply - if you want to find out more before applying please get in touch with Elise @ Parker Smith Inclusion.
0203 011 4848
Elise.harnwell@psinclusion.co.uk