SEMH Teaching Assistant – Alternative Provision, Gateshead
Full-time | Long-term position | Term-time only | September 2025 start
Are you passionate about supporting young people who need more than just a mainstream classroom?
We are looking for a dedicated and resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant to join a specialist alternative provision in the Gateshead area. The setting supports secondary-aged pupils who face barriers to learning, often linked to social, emotional, or mental health (SEMH) needs. Many of the students may display challenging behaviour and require patient, consistent adults to help them succeed.
What You’ll Be Doing:
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Providing targeted support to pupils with SEMH needs, both 1:1 and in small groups
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Helping students regulate behaviour and manage emotional responses
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Using restorative and trauma-informed approaches to build trust and consistency
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Supporting the delivery of lessons and working collaboratively with teaching and pastoral teams
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Creating a calm, predictable learning environment where pupils feel safe and respected
What We’re Looking For:
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Experience working with young people in education, youth work, residential care or similar environments
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Confidence in managing behaviour with empathy and structure
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A calm, patient and consistent presence in high-pressure situations
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Someone who thrives when building relationships and making a real difference
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A commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practice
Why This Role?
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Work as part of a nurturing and supportive team in a specialist setting
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Gain hands-on experience with SEMH and trauma-informed strategies
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Every day is different – this is a dynamic and meaningful role
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Excellent opportunity for those interested in youth work, behaviour mentoring or progressing into education psychology, counselling, or SEND teaching
You do not need to be a qualified Teaching Assistant to apply - we welcome applications from candidates with relevant life experience or transferable skills.
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.
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