SEMH Teaching Assistant

Mental Health Teaching Assistant – Surbiton, Kingston Upon Thames September 2026 Start £100 - £110 PAYE per day Permanent Contract Opportunity What does it take to stay calm when a young person's emotions are anything but? Can you offer consistency to a child who expects people to give up on them? If those questions resonate with you, keep reading. About the Role A specialist SEMH school in Surbiton, Kingston Upon Thames, is seeking a Mental Health Teaching Assistant to join their team from September 2026. This rewarding role involves supporting pupils aged 8 to 16 with a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, alongside associated conditions including ADHD, Autism, attachment difficulties and trauma-related behaviours. Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in helping pupils regulate their emotions, develop positive relationships and engage successfully in learning. About the School This specialist provision supports young people who have often faced significant challenges in their educational journeys. Many arrive with low self-esteem, high anxiety, and previous experiences of school environments where they struggled to thrive. The school takes a therapeutic, relationship-based approach, placing emotional wellbeing at the centre of everything it does. Small class sizes, structured routines and close collaboration between education and pastoral teams allow every pupil to receive the support they need to feel safe, valued and successful. Staff are encouraged to build meaningful relationships with pupils while maintaining clear boundaries, consistency and high expectations. The Role • Provide calm, consistent support to pupils during periods of emotional dysregulation or heightened anxiety • Build trusting relationships that encourage engagement, confidence and resilience • Work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals to support individual pupil needs • Recognise early signs of emotional distress and implement appropriate support strategies • Encourage positive behaviour and help pupils reflect on challenging situations constructively • Support learning activities both in the classroom and through structured interventions • Help create a safe, predictable environment where pupils feel able to take risks and succeed What We're Looking For Previous SEMH or SEN experience is beneficial but not essential. This role would particularly suit: • Psychology graduates • Criminology graduates • Education graduates • Youth Workers • Learning Mentors • Behaviour Mentors • Residential Support Workers • Care Workers • Sports Coaches • Graduates seeking experience before careers in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or Teaching Most importantly, we're looking for individuals who are patient, resilient, emotionally intelligent and committed to making a genuine difference in the lives of young people. Pay and Hours • Pay: £100 - £110 PAYE per day • Start Date: September 2026 • Contract: Long-term to permanent • Hours: Full-time, term-time only, 8:00am - 4:00pm • Location: Surbiton, Kingston Upon Thames This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to gain invaluable experience within a specialist SEMH setting while helping vulnerable young people build confidence, emotional resilience and brighter futures.