SEMH Teaching Assistant
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
SEMH Teaching Assistant needed for an all-through school in Dorking
Working Hours: 08:30 am - 16:00 pm.
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children? Join our warm and innovative Special Needs School, where we empower students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to thrive both academically and personally.
We are seeking individuals to work within a school where every child is celebrated for their unique strengths. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that nurtures growth, resilience, and confidence. Our team is a close-knit community that values creativity, compassion, and the drive to help each student succeed.
The Role
Provide Personalised Support: Work 1:1 and in small groups with students, adapting lesson materials and strategies to meet their diverse needs.
Enhance Learning Experiences: Assist classroom teachers in delivering engaging lessons that are tailored for SEMH support.
Foster Positive Behaviours: Implement proven behaviour management techniques and help students develop essential social skills.
Collaborate with Staff: Work closely with teachers, therapists, and support staff to monitor progress and celebrate every achievement.
What We’re Looking For
- A genuine passion for working with children who have SEMH needs.
- Empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills.
- Previous experience in a special needs setting is advantageous.
- A proactive team player who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of every child.
About us:
We are Engage Education, the most trusted education recruitment agency, with professional development and support at our core.
- Get paid in line with national scales (AWR compliant)
- Free CPD sessions
- Your own dedicated consultant
- Receive a £50 Amazon voucher when you refer friends!
- Wellbeing support, travel discounts, and retail offers from our partners
How to apply:
You can apply for this role below or get in touch with us directly. All applicants require the appropriate qualifications.
If you are not contacted within 2 working days, unfortunately, you have been unsuccessful in this role. All applicants must have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting work. Full assistance will be provided.
By applying for this role, you are consenting to Engage Education Ltd storing your details in our fully encrypted database, in line with the GDPR requirements.
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your SEMH experience prominently as this specialised field requires specific skills in supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs
📊 Quantify your impact: "Supported 8 SEMH students in small groups, improving engagement by 65%"
🌐 Emphasise your behaviour management techniques and any therapeutic approaches you've used with vulnerable children
🎯 Mention your Enhanced DBS status and safeguarding training as these are essential requirements for this role
🤝 Show your collaborative approach by describing how you've worked with teachers, therapists and support staff in previous SEND settings
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Delivered 1:1 SEMH support to 12 students with complex needs, achieving 78% improvement in classroom engagement through personalised behaviour management strategies
- •Collaborated with 6 teachers and 3 therapists to implement therapeutic interventions, resulting in 85% of students meeting their individual learning targets
- •Adapted lesson materials for diverse SEMH requirements across 4 key subjects, supporting students to develop essential social skills and academic confidence
Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.
Your cover letter is ready
We've drafted a cover letter for Engage Education. Preview the opening, then unlock the full personalised version.
Letter preview — tailored to Engage Education
Dear Hiring Manager,
Engage Education's SEMH Teaching Assistant role in Dorking represents exactly the meaningful impact I want to make in special education. My experience in behaviour management and personalised learning strategies aligns perfectly with your need for someone who can support children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
My background in SEND education has equipped me with the empathy, patience and collaborative skills essential for working with vulnerable children. I understand the importance of adapting teaching materials, implementing therapeutic approaches, and working closely with multidisciplinary teams to celebrate every student achievement.
Free signup, no card needed. Export to PDF/Word requires a £1.99 trial (14 days).
Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you adapt lesson materials for a student with SEMH needs who struggles with attention?
- ›What behaviour management strategies have you found most effective with SEMH students?
- ›How do you implement personalised learning approaches for children with diverse SEMH requirements?
- ›Describe your experience working collaboratively with teachers and therapists in a SEND environment
- ›What safeguarding procedures would you follow if concerned about a child's wellbeing?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you helped a child with SEMH needs overcome a significant challenge
- ›Describe a situation where you had to remain calm during a student's emotional outburst
- ›Give an example of how you've built trust with a vulnerable child
- ›Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team to support a student's progress
- ›Describe how you've adapted your communication style for different children's needs
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you helped a child with SEMH needs overcome a significant challenge
Describe a situation where you had to remain calm during a student's emotional outburst