SEN Teaching Assistant – SEMH
Location: Dartford, Kent
Salary: £90–£100 per day
Contract: Full-time, long-term temporary
Start date: 28 September 2026 or as soon as possible
A nurturing and inclusive school in Dartford is seeking a resilient and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will help pupils access learning, regulate their emotions and develop positive relationships with adults and peers. Support may be provided individually, in small groups and within the classroom, depending on pupils’ needs.
The school takes a consistent, relationship-based approach to behaviour and wellbeing. Staff work closely together to understand the reasons behind behaviour and help pupils build the skills they need to succeed.
Responsibilities
• Providing individual and small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs
• Helping pupils engage with lessons and complete achievable learning tasks
• Supporting emotional regulation using agreed strategies
• Reinforcing clear boundaries, routines and positive behaviour
• Responding calmly to challenging situations and helping to de-escalate incidents
• Supporting pupils during transitions and less structured parts of the day
• Implementing strategies from individual support plans
• Recording observations and communicating progress or concerns
• Working closely with teachers, the SENCO and pastoral professionals
• Safeguarding pupils and maintaining professional boundaries
Requirements
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEMH or behavioural needs
• A calm, patient and emotionally resilient approach
• The ability to remain consistent when behaviour becomes challenging
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• An understanding that behaviour can communicate an unmet need
• A commitment to safeguarding and inclusive education
• Relevant experience from education, youth work, care, mentoring or a similar setting
• Team Teach or other positive-handling training would be advantageous
• An enhanced DBS check, or willingness to complete one
What the role offers
• A meaningful opportunity to improve a pupil’s engagement and confidence
• Support from experienced SEND and pastoral colleagues
• Clear behaviour and safeguarding procedures
• Opportunities to develop practical SEMH and de-escalation skills
• A long-term position with consistency for both you and the pupils
• Valuable experience for careers in teaching, pastoral care or educational psychology
Why work via Transparency Education?
Transparency Education are a widely recognised, education recruitment company. We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer service and professional development that we offer our teachers and support staff. We:
• Ensure that you will have your own dedicated consultant who will provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Offer an excellent ‘refer a friend’ scheme that pays you £150 for each candidate you refer to us after they have worked and been paid for their first 10 days.
• Pay in line with the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) meaning you will be paid equally to a permanent employee.
• Give you access to a wide range of CPD training through our in-house team of experienced senior leaders
Application Process: Do you feel you meet the criteria for this exciting opportunity? If so, please either apply below or contact us directly. All applicants will require the appropriate qualification and training for this role. For teacher roles, we require a formally recognised teaching qualification. If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful for this role. However, we will keep your CV and continue to help you in your search for a job within education. Good luck with your application, we look forward to hearing from you.
Transparency Education operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.
We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. Transparency Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance
