Mental Health TA

Are you passionate about helping children feel supported, understood, and confident at school? Would you like to gain practical experience in education, mental health, psychology, or therapeutic support while making a positive difference to children's everyday lives?

A specialist school in Chippenham, Wiltshire is seeking a caring and enthusiastic Mental Health Teaching Assistant to join its dedicated support team. The school works with children aged 5-16 who may have Autism, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, and additional learning requirements.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to work alongside teachers, SEN professionals, therapists, and other specialist staff while developing your understanding of the connection between children's emotional wellbeing and their ability to engage with education.

As a Mental Health Teaching Assistant, you will provide personalised support to children who may experience challenges with their emotions, behaviour, confidence, relationships, or engagement with learning.

You will spend time building trusting relationships and helping children develop practical strategies that enable them to manage difficult situations more positively.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support tailored to individual children's needs.
• Helping children recognise, understand, and communicate their emotions.
• Supporting children experiencing anxiety, low confidence, emotional dysregulation, or social difficulties.
• Helping children develop appropriate strategies for managing stress and challenging situations.
• Encouraging children to return to learning following periods of anxiety, distress, or disengagement.
• Promoting positive behaviour through calm, consistent, and supportive approaches.
• Developing children's communication, social skills, confidence, and independence.
• Providing a reassuring presence during challenging moments.
• Working closely with teachers and SEN staff to follow individual support strategies.

The ideal candidate will be compassionate, patient, reliable, and emotionally resilient, with a genuine interest in children's mental health and wellbeing.

You should be comfortable building professional relationships with children and able to remain calm and consistent when situations become challenging.

Previous experience within education, childcare, mental health, SEND, youth work, care, or support work would be advantageous. However, this position could also be an excellent opportunity for graduates and aspiring professionals looking to gain relevant experience before pursuing further study or training.

The role could be particularly valuable for individuals interested in careers such as:

• Clinical Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Counselling
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Social Work
• Occupational Therapy
• Teaching
• Special Educational Needs

• £85-£110 per day, depending on experience.
• Full-time, Monday to Friday position.
• September 2026 start.
• PAYE weekly pay.
• Practical experience supporting children's mental health and emotional wellbeing within education.
• The opportunity to learn from experienced teachers, therapists, SEN professionals, and support staff.
• Experience supporting children with Autism, SEMH, anxiety, and additional needs.
• Development of communication, behaviour support, safeguarding, and relationship-building skills.
• Valuable experience for future careers in psychology, education, therapy, and mental health services.

Working as a Mental Health Teaching Assistant gives you the opportunity to become a trusted and consistent source of support for children who may find aspects of school challenging.

Apply today to begin developing your experience in education and mental health support while helping children build confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive.

Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy.