SEMH Support Assistant (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health)

If you’re the kind of person who stays calm when everyone else is losing it… who can spot the tiny wins… and who genuinely wants to help young people feel understood and supported, then you’re exactly who we are looking for.

This isn’t your average school role. You’ll be working with pupils who’ve had a tough start, big emotions, and even bigger potential. They need consistency, patience, and someone who gets them.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting pupils 1:1 and in small groups across ages 5–16
• Helping young people navigate big feelings, tricky moments, and daily routines
• Using positive behaviour strategies and restorative approaches
• Encouraging confidence, communication skills, and emotional regulation
• Being part of a super supportive team that celebrates small steps and big milestones

What we’re looking for

• Experience in SEMH, behaviour support, youth work, PRUs, or care settings
• A calm, grounded, and nurturing approach
• Someone who builds trust slowly, safely, and with patience
• A warm communicator who can set boundaries with kindness

What you’ll get from us

• Pay: £90-£110 per day (Weekly PAYE pay)
• Free CPD including behaviour, de-escalation & trauma-informed training
• A dedicated consultant to help you throughout your journey
• Long-term opportunities in specialist and alternative provision settings

If you want a role where every day is different, where your presence really matters, and where you can make a real impact… this could be the start of something amazing!

Please note: We are building a talent pool of exceptional SEMH Assistants for schools across Barking & Dagenham. This advert is not for one specific school but for candidates interested in opportunities within the borough.

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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