Job Description:

SEN Teaching Assistant (SEMH) - Canterbury

• Start Date: 1st September 2026
• Salary: £500.00 to £650.00 per week

Academics is seeking a dedicated and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school in Canterbury. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting young people and helping them overcome barriers to learning in a nurturing and structured environment.

The Role

As a SEN Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Working closely with teachers and pastoral staff, you will help create a positive learning environment where students can develop both academically and personally.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing individual and small-group support to students
• Building positive and trusting relationships with young people
• Supporting students with emotional regulation and behaviour management strategies
• Assisting teachers in delivering engaging and differentiated learning activities
• Working collaboratively with teaching, pastoral, and support staff to meet students' individual needs

About the Students

You will support children and young people who require additional emotional and behavioural support to access education successfully. Many students have faced challenges in their educational journey and benefit from consistent encouragement, patience, and understanding from the adults around them.

Why Choose an SEMH Setting?

A role within an SEMH school offers the chance to make a meaningful difference every day. Benefits include:

• Helping students build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem
• Making a positive impact on behaviour, engagement, and long-term outcomes
• Developing valuable behaviour management and de-escalation techniques
• Working alongside a skilled and supportive team of professionals
• Gaining excellent experience for future careers in education, psychology, counselling, social care, or youth work
• Witnessing the rewarding progress students make when provided with the right support

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience working with children or young people in education, care, youth work, coaching, mentoring, or similar settings
• A calm, patient, and resilient approach
• Confidence in managing and responding to challenging behaviours
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A genuine commitment to supporting young people with additional needs
• The ability to remain positive, adaptable, and proactive in a dynamic environment

If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can have a lasting impact on young people's lives while developing your own skills and experience, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today with your most up-to-date CV for consideration.