Teaching Assistant - Complex Behaviour & SEMH

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 recruiting for a Teaching Assistant specialising in SEMH and behaviour support to work within a specialist education setting in Sunderland.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who understands that challenging behaviour is often a form of communication and who can remain calm, consistent and supportive when pupils are struggling.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting pupils with complex behavioural and SEMH needs.
• Providing 1:1 and small-group intervention.
• Building positive and professional relationships.
• Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions.
• Helping pupils identify triggers and develop coping strategies.
• Encouraging engagement with learning.
• Supporting teachers with behaviour management.
• Maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.
• Using de-escalation techniques when required.
• Supporting pupils during break and lunch.
• Encouraging positive choices and independence.
• Celebrating pupil progress and helping raise aspirations.

The role may also provide opportunities for further training, including Team Teach, where appropriate.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Confident and charismatic.
• Warm and approachable.
• Resilient and patient.
• Comfortable working with challenging behaviour.
• Able to build trust quickly.
• Consistent in their approach.
• Able to work collaboratively with teachers and support staff.
• Passionate about giving young people a positive educational experience.

Experience in SEMH, behaviour, youth work, care, residential settings, sports coaching or mentoring would be highly desirable.

Driving is a bonus, particularly for candidates who can travel easily to specialist settings across Sunderland and the surrounding areas.

• Competitive daily pay.
• Weekly PAYE payments.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Dedicated education consultant.
• Ongoing support.
• Long-term and permanent opportunities.
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus.

If you're ready to take on a rewarding role where every day is different and your support can have a genuine impact, apply today.

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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