Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant

Location: Sunderland
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–4:30pm
Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experience

Protocol Education are working with a specialist education setting in Sunderland that is seeking a Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant to join their team from September.

This role would suit someone who is confident working with young people who may display challenging behaviour and understands that positive relationships are often the key to improving engagement.

You don't necessarily need years of school experience. The right attitude, resilience and personality are just as important.

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Working alongside teachers to promote positive behaviour.
• Providing individualised support to pupils who require additional guidance.
• Helping pupils recognise and manage their emotions.
• Encouraging positive communication and social interaction.
• Supporting pupils to remain engaged within lessons.
• De-escalating situations calmly and professionally.
• Helping pupils develop strategies to manage their behaviour.
• Building positive relationships and acting as a consistent role model.
• Supporting pupils during less structured parts of the school day.
• Encouraging independence and preparing pupils for their next steps.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Confident and approachable.
• Calm when faced with challenging situations.
• Patient and understanding.
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent.
• Consistent in their approach.
• Able to establish boundaries whilst maintaining positive relationships.
• Passionate about helping young people succeed.

Previous experience in schools, SEMH settings, youth work, sports coaching, mentoring, care, residential work or behaviour support would be advantageous.

A driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a bonus, although this is not essential.

• Competitive daily rate.
• Weekly PAYE pay.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Dedicated consultant.
• Ongoing support.
• Access to long-term and permanent opportunities.
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive specialist setting and help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

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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