Job description
Job Title:SEMH Teaching Assistant
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Contract Type: Temporary, Supply, Part-Time, Full-Time
Start Date: September 2026
Salary Scale: £92 – £115 per day (Depending on experience)
Help young people overcome barriers to learning by providing consistent support, building trust, and promoting positive emotional and behavioural development!
GSL Education are currently recruiting for a resilient, patient, and compassionate SEMH Teaching Assistant to work within a specialist secondary educational setting in York.
This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced Teaching Assistant who is confident supporting students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and familiar with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) profiles. You will play an important role in helping learners manage challenges, engage with education, and develop greater confidence and independence.
About the Role:
As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will provide tailored one-to-one and small-group support to secondary-aged students who may experience emotional, behavioural, and social barriers to learning. You will use consistent and supportive approaches to help students regulate emotions, manage behaviour, access learning, and develop positive relationships.
Core Responsibilities of the SEMH Teaching Assistant:
- Provide one-to-one and small-group support for students with SEMH and ASC profiles
- Use consistent strategies to support emotional regulation, positive behaviour, and engagement with learning
- Help students manage transitions, routines, and challenging situations within the school environment
- Build trusting relationships while maintaining clear boundaries and positive expectations
- Work collaboratively with teachers and support staff to implement individual learning and behaviour strategies
- Encourage confidence, resilience, independence, and positive social interaction throughout the school day
As the Ideal SEMH Teaching Assistant, You Should Have:
- Experience supporting young people with SEMH, behavioural, or additional learning needs
- Familiarity with ASC profiles and an understanding of how autism can influence communication, behaviour, and emotional regulation
- A resilient, patient, and calm approach when supporting students with complex needs
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to remain consistent and professional when managing challenging or unpredictable situations
- A genuine commitment to helping young people overcome barriers and achieve positive educational outcomes
To Work with GSL Education, You Must:
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Provide an up-to-date CV with relevant reference information covering the last 2 years
- Have recent experience working with children or young people, preferably within an SEND or specialist setting
- Hold an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service or be willing to apply for one
If you are a resilient SEMH Teaching Assistant with experience supporting young people and familiarity with ASC profiles, we welcome your application for this rewarding opportunity in York.
Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks including providing an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the update service or completing an application for a new check.
For more information or to register your interest in ‘SEMH Teaching Assistant’ role, or to be considered, please click ‘apply now’ to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants, will be in touch.
As an ethical, inclusive, and independent recruitment agency GSL Education are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools throughout York.