Trauma-Informed SEMH Teaching Assistant - Surrey
ASAP start, long-term full-time, 8am to 4pm
£100 - £110 PAYE per day
Interviews arranged ASAP
When a child who has been out of school for months finally walks back through the door, what kind of adult do you want to be standing there?
This Trauma-Informed SEMH Teaching Assistant role in Surrey is about exactly that moment, and all the smaller ones that lead up to it. If you have experience supporting pupils with autism and SEMH needs and want to bring it into a SEND specialist setting where trauma-informed practice is daily practice rather than a phrase on a poster, this is worth a proper look.
It is worth asking whether your current role is actually giving you what you deserve, in terms of support, recognition and the chance to do the kind of relational, patient work that pupils with additional needs deserve from the adults around them. Many SEND practitioners find themselves stretched across too many pupils, without the time or resources to build the trust that makes a real difference. This role is set up differently, with more time, better resources and genuine therapeutic support built into the school day, so the work you actually want to do is possible here.
The school is based in Surrey, easily commutable from Leatherhead and Guildford, and offers a calm, well resourced base for pupils aged 7 to 16, nearly all of whom hold Education, Health and Care Plans. Class sizes are small, generally six to eight pupils, with a high level of individual adult support throughout the day, so individual attention is the norm rather than the exception.
Pupils here have a range of needs including autism, ADHD, social communication difficulties, speech and language needs, sensory processing difficulties and SEMH needs, and some are returning to full-time education after a significant period away from school. The school has a strong track record of helping these pupils settle back into a structured routine and rebuild their confidence.
The ethos is built around confidence, competence, creativity and character, with a genuine focus on academic progress alongside emotional wellbeing, resilience and independence skills. Leadership keeps a close, hands-on eye on teaching, pupil progress and attendance, with clear plans in place to raise standards further. The school meets all independent school standards and is particularly recognised for the strength of its pastoral care, inclusion and behaviour support. On site you will find well-equipped specialist classrooms, calm and therapy spaces, and direct access to outdoor learning areas, alongside integrated support from occupational therapy and speech and language therapy colleagues.
Role responsibilities
- Provide 1:1 and small group support to pupils with autism, ADHD and SEMH needs across the school day
- Apply trauma-informed, nurturing approaches to behaviour so pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn
- Support individual pupils with adaptations to routines, sensory needs and emotional regulation strategies
- Work alongside teachers, therapists and pastoral staff to help pupils return to full-time education after extended absence
- Help maintain calm, structured classroom routines, including transitions, movement breaks and outdoor learning sessions
About you
- A genuine interest in working with children who have autism and SEMH needs, and a belief that the right support can change how they experience school
- Experience working with pupils with autism and SEMH needs, ideally in a school or similar setting
- Patience and consistency, with the ability to stay calm and grounded when a pupil is dysregulated
- Strong communication skills, able to work closely with teachers, therapists and families
- A background that could include a relevant degree, HLTA experience, or a move from care, youth work or support work into education
Alongside the day to day satisfaction of the role, you would have access to ongoing CPD and training in trauma-informed and SEMH-specific practice, a clear route to progress your career within a specialist setting, transparent pay from day one, and the security of a long-term full-time contract in a well-resourced school. Parker Smith Inclusion works only in SEND recruitment, and we built the business around honesty, fairness and doing right by both schools and candidates. We are proud to have earned more than 400 five-star reviews on Google, to have partnered with over 300 schools, and to have placed more than 1,500 educators in roles that genuinely suit them. We pay PAYE only, with no umbrella companies and no hidden costs, and we focus on long-term and permanent placements rather than short notice cover, because that is what serves pupils and staff best.
Interested?
Apply now or get in touch with Heeji Moon at Parker Smith Inclusion.