Teaching Assistant - SEMH & Behaviour Support

Teaching Assistant - SEMH & Behaviour Support

Location: Longsight, Manchester

Salary: £100-£110 per day (DOE)

Contract: Full-time

Temporary to Permanent

Simply Education is recruiting an experienced Teaching Assistant to join a Good-rated Specialist Primary Alternative Provision setting in Longsight, Manchester.

This isn't a mainstream classroom role. The school works with pupils aged 5 to 11 who have complex SEMH needs and challenging behaviour and is built around the belief that all behaviour is communication. Many pupils arrive having experienced significant disruption to their education, and the role of every Teaching Assistant is to help them feel safe, rebuild their confidence, and re-engage with learning. If you've worked in SEMH, AP, or a PRU before and you're looking for a setting where that experience is genuinely valued, this Teaching Assistant role is one to consider.

Who this Teaching Assistant role is for

You'll be well suited to this role if you have hands-on experience supporting pupils with SEMH, ADHD, or complex behaviour in a specialist or alternative provision setting. You understand that progress here doesn't always look like progress in a mainstream school, and you're comfortable with that. You're calm under pressure, consistent in your approach, and you build trust with young people over time rather than expecting it straight away.

The school invests heavily in its staff. Ofsted noted that staff feel valued, and that the school actively supports their workload and wellbeing. There is regular training, clear behaviour systems, and a structured approach that helps Teaching Assistants feel equipped and supported in a genuinely demanding environment. That investment works best with people who are committed to being there for the long term.

As a Teaching Assistant you will:

• Provide 1:1 and small group support to help pupils access learning
• Support pupils in developing emotional regulation, confidence, and social skills
• Apply consistent behaviour strategies including Team Teach approaches
• Work closely with teachers to deliver structured, engaging sessions
• Help maintain a calm, predictable environment where pupils feel safe and ready to learn

Working Hours

Monday - Tuesday: 08:30 - 16:00 Wednesday: 08:30 - 17:00 (mandatory staff training 16:00 - 17:00) Thursday: 08:30 - 16:00 Friday: 08:30 - 15:00

35 hours per week | 30-minute unpaid lunch break | Lunch provided on site

Essential Requirements

To be considered for this Teaching Assistant role you should have:

• Direct experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, challenging behaviour, or complex needs
• Confidence managing and de-escalating difficult situations calmly and consistently
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• Reliability and consistency - pupils here depend on familiar, trusted adults
• An enhanced DBS check or willingness to obtain one
• Two professional references covering the past two years

How to Apply

If this sounds like the right fit, submit your CV via this advert or contact Josh Graham at Simply Education's Manchester office for an informal conversation about the role.

Email:

Office: 0161 413 7929

WhatsApp: 07506705017