Trauma-Informed Teaching Assistant – Barnet | SEND Teaching Assistant / SEMH Support
Some pupils need more than someone who can simply support them with their work. They need an adult who understands what behaviour can communicate, knows how to build trust gradually and can remain calm when a young person is struggling.
Parker Smith Inclusion is recruiting a Trauma-Informed Teaching Assistant in Barnet for candidates who want to work with children and young people who may need additional emotional, behavioural or SEND support.
This could suit an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, SEND Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Mentor or someone from a youth work, mentoring, care or therapeutic background who understands the importance of relationships, consistency and emotional regulation.
What does trauma-informed support look like?
This is not about overlooking challenging behaviour. It is about understanding what may sit behind it and responding in a way that helps pupils feel safe, regulated and ready to engage.
Your role may include:
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Building a consistent and trusting relationship with pupils
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Supporting emotional regulation and helping pupils recognise and manage difficult feelings
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Using calm, relational approaches when behaviour becomes challenging
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Supporting pupils to re-engage with learning following periods of dysregulation
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Providing individual or small-group support
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Reinforcing clear and appropriate boundaries
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Working closely with teaching, pastoral and SEND colleagues
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Recognising potential triggers and adapting your approach accordingly
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Helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and positive relationships
Who are we looking for?
Essential:
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A calm, patient and emotionally resilient approach
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The ability to build relationships without taking challenging behaviour personally
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Good communication skills and the confidence to work as part of a wider school team
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A genuine interest in supporting children or young people with additional needs
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The ability to provide both nurture and appropriate boundaries
Desirable experience could include:
Previous school experience can be beneficial, but we are equally interested in people whose experience outside education has given them the right skills for this type of work.
Why consider this type of role?
Trauma-informed education gives you the opportunity to understand the pupil behind the behaviour.
Progress will not always be measured by a completed worksheet. Sometimes it is a pupil trusting you enough to ask for help, returning to a lesson after a difficult morning or beginning to manage a situation differently because they know there is a consistent adult beside them.
For the right person, those small changes are often the most rewarding part of the job.
Working with Parker Smith Inclusion
Parker Smith Inclusion specialises exclusively in SEND and inclusive education. We take the time to understand what type of environment suits you rather than sending your CV indiscriminately to schools.
You can expect:
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Honest and transparent advice
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Support from a consultant who understands SEND recruitment
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Roles matched to your experience, personality and longer-term goals
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PAYE placements where applicable
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Continued support throughout your placement
Interested?
If you are looking for a Trauma-Informed Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, SEND Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Behaviour Mentor role in Barnet, I would be keen to hear from you.
Apply today through Parker Smith Inclusion and I can talk you through the opportunity, the type of support involved and whether it is the right fit for you.
Safeguarding: Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to appropriate safeguarding and compliance checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check where required.