We are recruiting for a Specialist provision in Newcastle and require an SEN teaching assistant with bags of drive and enthusiasm The setting is located on great travel routes towards the West of the City and is a specialist SEMH setting. Hours arepm Monday to Friday The setting is Ofsted graded good- has a great ethos and is friendly and supportive. The setting has pupils aged 5-16. About the role : SEMH stands for Social, Emotional and Mental Health. This is a heading used to describe young people who will have experienced challenging relationships at home or in school and mainstream education has just not been a good or productive fit. The world we live in now post-pandemic means that unfortunately a lot of our young people have monumental struggles and barrier – which often presents as anger and volatility. Specialist settings step in to show these young people that Education doesn’t have to be an awful experience and Adults can be trusted. That last point is key - learning to trust others is key to supporting pupils to be positive citizens with a desire to improve. Showing pupils that they matter and genuinely emotionally investing in their development makes the most significant difference for them. One a child is admitted to a specialist setting – they will usually receive 1:1 support or be in a class setting with shared support. Many pupils with SEMH cannot see beyond the classroom, where they struggle with or really dislike learning. Generally – the journey to a specialist setting has been a rough one, with long periods of sporadic school attention and probably a lot of negativity from many sides. Because of this quite common disengagement with authority and school, You’ll find – that in SEMH settings, often the educational offer will include traditional academic subjects – coupled with Vocational sessions based around the interests a pupil has or Particular learning barriers identified in an EHCP ( Education Health and Care Plan ) So -Your role in this school will be either a 1:1 support OR you may work across a small class as part of a team. Your Main Responsibilities You’ll be a friendly, positive role model. You will work closely with the class team – led by the teacher. You might sit in a lesson with others or even do some work side by side or in a quiet area. You’ll establish behaviour boundaries simply by communicating positively and firmly You will keep the pupil – or pupils on task within lessons, side by side breaking down what’s being taught You will celebrate the small stuff -Many SEMH pupils find accepting praise very challenging, so finding quiet ways to praise at first can be key. For example, a simple pat on the shoulder or quiet whisper can be very effective in brick-by-brick building a pupil’s self-esteem. When times get tough, reflecting back on these moments can be significant in reminding a pupil of a time when they did get it right You’ll learn to spot triggers that can spike negative behaviour – simply by taking time to get to know the young person You’ll find yourself helping with all sorts of things. You might be helping a strapping lad learn how to tie shoe laces, or re-enforcing positive messages around knife crime all in the same ten minutes. You’ll help with skills for every day life – without probably even realising it, re-enforcing respect, politeness and good conduct You’ll have eyes in the back of your head – ready to question positively any infringements, but also spotting good stuff and areas that have improved You must have The ability to work effectively alongside teachers providing emotional and academic support for pupils A passion for helping reluctant learners Good level of Maths and English Enhanced DBS on the update service or the willingness to complete an application Kindness, enthusiasm and proactivity with great organisational skills Previous experience of working in schools or childcare settings, youth clubs, sport settings, military or police or even personal experience gained from friends or family. Graduates who are considering teaching in the future are also very welcome to apply Confident, friendly and hardworking The ability to build rapport quickly and develop positive and trusting relationships with pupils ongoing availability 8.30am -4.30pm Monday to Friday – TERM TIME ONLY Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks; including providing an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the update service, or completing an application for a new check. As an ethical, inclusive, and independent recruitment agency GSL Education are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools throughout the North East. For more information or to register your interest in this role, or to be considered, please click ‘apply now’ to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants, will be in touch. Also - we are currently offering £100 for the successful referral of either Teachers or Teaching Assistants If you know of anyone who may be suitable – get them to apply