Teaching Assistant - SEMH & Behaviour Support

Location: Sunderland
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–3:30pm / 4:30pm
Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experience

Protocol Education are currently recruiting for a Teaching Assistant with an interest in SEMH and behaviour support to join a specialist school setting in Sunderland.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is confident, patient and able to build strong relationships with young people who may struggle with emotional regulation, behaviour, confidence or engagement in education.

The successful candidate will become a consistent and positive presence within the school, supporting pupils both inside and outside of the classroom.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation and managing challenging situations.
• Assist teachers in maintaining a calm, structured learning environment.
• Encourage pupils to engage positively with their learning.
• Support behaviour management using positive and restorative approaches.
• Help pupils develop confidence, independence and social skills.
• Support pupils during lessons, break times and lunchtimes where required.
• Provide encouragement and reassurance to pupils who may have previously struggled in mainstream education.
• Follow individual support plans and contribute towards pupils' progress.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Warm, approachable and confident.
• Patient and resilient.
• Naturally good at building relationships with young people.
• Comfortable working with challenging behaviour.
• Able to remain calm under pressure.
• Consistent and reliable.
• Passionate about helping pupils overcome barriers to learning.

Experience within education, youth work, sports coaching, residential care, mentoring or support work would be highly beneficial.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a bonus, particularly for candidates who are able to travel between different settings or locations.

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

If you're looking for a role where your personality, patience and ability to connect with young people can genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

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.