Job description

Teaching Assistant – Primary SEMH Provision

Location: Bournemouth
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent opportunity for the right candidate
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: Monday – Friday, term time
Agency: GSL Education

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Worker or Youth Worker looking for a role where you can make a genuine, long-term difference to children's lives?

GSL Education are currently recruiting for a full-time Teaching Assistant to join a specialist primary provision in Bournemouth, supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated additional needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with children who may have struggled within mainstream education and who understands that, sometimes, building trust and relationships has to come before learning can take place.

A permanent position is available for the right person, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to establish themselves within a specialist setting and build a meaningful career supporting children with additional needs.

About the Provision

The provision is a specialist primary setting supporting children aged 5–11 with SEMH difficulties and a range of associated special educational needs, including autism.

The children have often experienced significant challenges in their education and may have found mainstream school environments difficult to access successfully. Some pupils may have experienced disrupted education, difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety, social interaction, communication or relationships with adults and peers.

The setting provides a highly supportive and nurturing environment, with small classes and high staffing levels to ensure that children receive the individualised support they need.

The school's approach is centred around developing resilient, safe and respectful learners, with a strong focus on wellbeing, emotional regulation, self-esteem and helping children recognise that they can succeed.

The provision follows the National Curriculum but adapts learning around the individual needs of each child. Staff work closely with teachers and the wider learning support team, alongside professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists.

What Does the Role Involve?

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a hugely important role in supporting children both academically and emotionally.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils on a 1:1 and small-group basis.
• Helping children access learning and engage positively within the classroom.
• Supporting children with SEMH, behavioural and additional needs.
• Building trusting, positive relationships with pupils.
• Helping children develop emotional regulation and appropriate coping strategies.
• Supporting pupils who may become dysregulated or display challenging behaviour.
• Encouraging positive social interaction and communication.
• Reinforcing boundaries and expectations consistently.
• Supporting teachers with classroom activities and interventions.
• Helping children develop independence, confidence and resilience.
• Celebrating small achievements and recognising progress.
• Contributing to a calm, safe and nurturing classroom environment.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, support staff and external professionals.

The provision takes a trauma-sensitive, attachment-aware and nurturing approach, recognising that behaviour is often a form of communication and that understanding the reason behind a child's behaviour is crucial to supporting them effectively.

Who Are We Looking For?

This is not necessarily a role for someone who has only worked in mainstream schools.

We are particularly interested in speaking to people who have experience working with children or young people displaying challenging behaviour, SEMH needs or complex additional needs.

You could be an experienced:

• Teaching Assistant / LSA
• Behaviour Support Assistant
• SEN Teaching Assistant
• Learning Support Assistant
• Youth Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• Children's Support Worker
• Sports Coach
• Mentor
• Care Worker
• Pastoral Support Worker

You may also be someone who has worked outside education but has the right personality, resilience and experience to make the transition into a specialist school environment.

The right person will be:

Calm under pressure – challenging behaviour can be unpredictable, so you need to remain composed and professional when situations become difficult.

Patient and consistent – progress isn't always immediate. You need to understand that building trust can take time and that small steps can represent huge achievements.

Resilient – this can be a demanding environment, both emotionally and physically. The ability to reset after a difficult situation and come back the next day with the same positive attitude is incredibly important.

Warm but firm – children need adults who genuinely care about them, but who can also maintain clear boundaries and consistent expectations.

Non-judgemental – children in specialist provisions can sometimes be labelled by their behaviour. We are looking for people who want to understand the child behind the behaviour rather than simply react to what is happening in front of them.

Relationship-focused – the strongest Teaching Assistants in SEMH settings are often those who can build genuine connections with children who may initially struggle to trust adults.

Adaptable – no two days are necessarily the same. You need to be comfortable changing your approach depending on the individual child and situation.

Most importantly, you need to believe in the children you are working with.

You don't need to have all the answers. You do need to be willing to learn, reflect and consistently show up for children who may have previously struggled to engage with education.

Why Work With GSL Education?

At GSL Education, we pride ourselves on doing more than simply placing candidates into schools.

Our experienced consultants have a wealth of knowledge across the education sector and a proven track record of matching educators with schools where they can thrive and build long-term careers.

When you work with GSL, you will have:

• An experienced consultant guiding you through the process from start to finish.
• Full support with your application and registration.
• Preparation before you visit the school.
• Honest information about the role and setting.
• Guidance and advice before your interview / school visit.
• Ongoing support once you are placed.
• Access to further opportunities across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the wider Dorset area.
• The opportunity to secure a permanent position with the right school.

We take the time to understand you, your experience and what you're looking for, rather than simply sending your CV to the first available vacancy.

Ready for a Role Where You Can Make a Difference?

If you're looking for more than just another Teaching Assistant job and want to work somewhere where relationships, resilience and the individual needs of children genuinely matter, we'd love to hear from you.

This position is available for an ASAP start, with a permanent opportunity available for the right candidate.

Apply today and one of our experienced GSL Education consultants will be in touch to discuss the role, the provision and the next steps.

GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to the appropriate checks and vetting procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.