Job description
SEN Teaching Assistant
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Recruitment agency: GSL Education
Pay: £92 – £115 per day
Job type: Full Time, Monday to Friday, Term Time Only
Start Date: November 2026
SEN Teaching Assistant – Help Young People Find Their Way Back to Learning
Do you have experience supporting young people, individuals with additional needs or people facing social, emotional or behavioural challenges?
Are you patient, resilient and passionate about helping children succeed, even when learning has not always been easy for them?
GSL Education is seeking a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to work at an Alternative Provision in York, supporting pupils who may need additional help to engage with education, develop confidence and make positive progress.
You don't need to have held the job title of Teaching Assistant before. Experience in care, youth work, mentoring, mental health support, residential settings, sports coaching or other people-focused roles could give you the transferable skills needed to thrive in this role.
About the role
You will support pupils with a range of additional needs, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, helping them feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting pupils to access learning activities and engage positively with education.
- Building trusting relationships with children and young people who may have experienced barriers to learning.
- Helping pupils develop emotional regulation, communication and social skills.
- Supporting positive behaviour through calm, consistent and respectful approaches.
- Adapting your support to meet individual needs and circumstances.
- Encouraging independence, resilience and confidence.
- Working closely with teachers and other professionals to provide consistent support.
- Promoting a safe, inclusive environment and following safeguarding procedures.
Who we're looking for
We want to hear from people who have the right attitude, relevant experience and a genuine desire to make a difference.
You could be a great fit if you have experience in:
- Care or support work: supporting people with additional needs, disabilities or complex circumstances.
- Mental health: helping individuals manage emotions, build coping strategies or improve wellbeing.
- Youth work or mentoring: engaging young people, building trust and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- Residential or behaviour support: responding calmly to challenging situations and encouraging positive choices.
- Childcare or education: supporting development, learning and individual needs.
- Sports coaching or activity leadership: motivating young people, building confidence and adapting your approach.
- Other relevant roles: any experience that demonstrates patience, resilience, empathy and the ability to support people through challenges.
Previous experience in a school or SEN setting is beneficial, but relevant transferable experience is also valuable.
You should be:
- Patient, compassionate and emotionally resilient.
- Confident building positive relationships with young people.
- Calm and consistent when faced with challenging behaviour.
- Flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.
- Reliable, professional and willing to learn.
- Committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
Why work with GSL Education?
- Competitive rates of pay.
- Support from a dedicated education recruitment consultant.
- Opportunities to gain experience in specialist education.
- Ongoing guidance throughout your placement.
- The chance to develop your skills and progress within education.
- A rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to young people's lives.
Apply today
If you have the patience, resilience and people skills to help young people overcome barriers and reconnect with learning, we want to hear from you.
Your experience doesn't have to come from a classroom. Your ability to connect with, encourage and support young people could make all the difference.
Apply through Indeed today to find out more about this SEN Teaching Assistant opportunity with GSL Education in York.
GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks will apply.