1:1 Behaviour Support Assistant | SEND School | Durham

Location: Durham
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £92.63–£108 per day, dependent on experience

Not every day will be easy. That's why your support matters.

Protocol Education are looking for a 1:1 SEND Support Assistant to work within a specialist school in Durham, supporting a child with complex needs and highly challenging behaviour.

This isn't a role for someone looking for a quiet day in the classroom. You'll need to be resilient, patient and confident, particularly when the pupil becomes dysregulated.

At the same time, you'll have the opportunity to build a relationship where trust, consistency and understanding can make a real difference.

What you can expect

You'll provide individualised support to a pupil who may display behaviours including:

• Biting
• Kicking
• Throwing objects
• Physical outbursts
• Emotional dysregulation
• Difficulty engaging with learning

You'll work alongside experienced staff to understand the reasons behind the behaviour and use agreed strategies to help the pupil feel safe and supported.

Your day may involve:

• 1:1 classroom support
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Encouraging engagement with learning
• Following behaviour support plans
• Supporting positive routines and boundaries
• Responding appropriately to challenging situations
• Maintaining safeguarding and safety procedures
• Communicating closely with the school team

Could this be you?

We're looking for someone who is:

• Resilient – you understand that progress isn't always linear
• Calm – you can think clearly when situations become challenging
• Patient – you can give a child the time and consistency they need
• Compassionate – you can see the child behind the behaviour
• Reliable – you understand the importance of consistency
• Team-focused – you're happy working alongside teachers and SEND professionals

Previous experience with SEND, SEMH, challenging behaviour, residential care, youth work, PRUs or specialist settings is highly desirable.

What you'll get from Protocol Education

• Weekly PAYE pay
• No umbrella companies
• FREE online CPD Academy
• FREE Thrive training available
• Dedicated consultant
• Local Durham opportunities
• Experience across SEND and alternative provisions
• Refer a Friend rewards

If you're looking for a role where your patience and resilience can genuinely change a child's day, we'd love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

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