SEMH & Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant

SEMH & Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant | Sunderland

Location: Sunderland
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–4:30pm
Pay: £98–£120 per day, dependent on experience

Build relationships. Understand behaviour. Change lives.

Protocol Education are looking for a confident and resilient SEMH & Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant to join a specialist setting in Sunderland.

This role would suit someone who understands that challenging behaviour is often a form of communication and who can remain calm, consistent and supportive when a young person is struggling.

You will become a trusted adult for pupils who may have experienced difficulties within mainstream education.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support.
• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Building strong and trusting relationships.
• Supporting emotional regulation.
• Helping pupils identify triggers and appropriate coping strategies.
• Using positive behaviour approaches.
• Supporting pupils to re-engage with learning.
• Maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.
• Supporting teachers within the classroom.
• Helping pupils develop confidence and independence.
• Supporting pupils during break and lunchtime.
• Encouraging positive communication.
• Celebrating progress and achievements.

The Ideal Candidate

You will ideally be:

• Confident and approachable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Patient and resilient.
• Naturally good at building relationships.
• Consistent in your approach.
• Comfortable working with challenging behaviour.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries.
• Passionate about helping young people succeed.

Previous experience in SEMH, PRU, alternative provision, behaviour support, youth work, residential care, mentoring or sports coaching would be beneficial.

However, we're also interested in candidates with strong transferable experience and the right personality.

Drivers Are a Bonus

A driving licence and access to a vehicle would be advantageous, particularly for candidates who can travel to different settings across Sunderland.

What Protocol Education Offers

• £98–£120 per day.
• Weekly PAYE pay.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Team Teach/behaviour-related training opportunities.
• Dedicated education consultant.
• Long-term and permanent opportunities.
• Ongoing support.
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus.

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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