SEMH Teaching Assistant – (KS2) St Helens

Job Title: SEMH Teaching Assistant (KS2 Specialist)

Location: St Helens, Merseyside
Agency: Desian Education
Contract: Full-time, long-term
Hours: 08:30 – 15:30, Monday to Friday (Term time only)
Start Date: Immediately following the upcoming half-term

 

Desian Education is recruiting a resilient, empathetic, and dedicated Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant to join an outstanding specialist SEMH school in St Helens.

This full-time role is based within a dedicated primary-aged department, specifically supporting pupils in KS2 (Years 3 to 6) who face social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

 

The Role

KS2 Classroom Support: Support the delivery of the primary national curriculum, adapting resources to suit varied reading and learning ages.
Emotional Regulation: Help primary-aged pupils recognize behavioral triggers, utilizing positive reinforcement, sensory breaks, and de-escalation strategies.
Academic Engagement: Deliver tailored interventions to break down complex tasks, heavily supporting pupils with ADHD, literacy gaps, or dyslexia.
Relationship Building: Establish strong, non-judgmental, and nurturing connections with young children to build their confidence, emotional resilience, and classroom focus.
EHCP Delivery: Work alongside the KS2 class teacher and pastoral team to track and meet individual care, social, and learning targets.
Crisis De-escalation: Safely manage primary-level challenging behavior using approved positive handling frameworks (e.g., Team Teach).

 

Requirements

Proven Experience: Significant experience working with primary-aged children (ideally KS2) with SEMH, complex needs, or challenging behaviours. Experience in primary schools, alternative provisions, or residential care is essential.
Attributes: Exceptional resilience, high energy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to offer pupils a completely fresh start every single day.
Qualifications: A relevant Teaching Assistant or SEND qualification is desirable. De-escalation training (e.g., Team Teach) is highly advantageous.
Compliance: Must hold an enhanced DBS on the Update Service or be willing to process a new one.

 

What We Offer

Competitive daily rates paid weekly.
Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement.
Access to continuous professional development (CPD) and specialist SEND training.

To apply for this position, please submit your CV directly through this platform.