Job Advert: Special Needs Teaching Assistant - Temp to Perm (ASAP Start) Location: Trowbridge Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience Start Date: ASAP Monarch Education is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Needs Teaching Assistant (TA) to join a special needs school in Trowbridge, focusing on supporting pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges. This is a temp to perm position, and we encourage applications from individuals with experience in care, residential settings, or those with a background in supporting young people with emotional and behavioural needs. The successful candidate will play a vital role in supporting students facing SEMH challenges, helping them overcome barriers to learning, manage emotions, and develop essential social skills. If you're passionate about making a difference and supporting students with SEMH in a nurturing and structured environment, we want to hear from you Key Responsibilities of a Special Needs Teaching Assistant: Supporting Students with SEMH Needs: Provide one-on-one and small group support to students with SEMH, helping them manage emotions and behaviour in a positive and constructive way. Work closely with students to implement strategies that help regulate emotional responses, promoting self-regulation, resilience, and positive coping mechanisms. Support students in accessing the curriculum, offering tailored assistance to ensure they can engage with lessons and activities despite their challenges. Foster a safe, calm, and supportive learning environment that promotes positive behaviour and emotional well-being. Behavioural and Emotional Support: Help students manage behavioural challenges by implementing strategies for conflict resolution, de-escalation, and emotional regulation. Assist students in navigating social situations, encouraging positive interactions and helping them build relationships with peers and staff. Provide emotional support to students who may experience anxiety, frustration, or low self-esteem, promoting a sense of security and belonging in the school community. Work alongside the class teacher and SENCO to create and implement personalised strategies and plans to support students' emotional and social development. Classroom Assistance and Monitoring Progress: Assist the teacher in maintaining a positive and structured classroom environment where all students feel respected and supported. Monitor and document student progress, noting any changes in behaviour, emotional regulation, or academic development, and communicate this to the teacher and SENCO. Support students during lessons, ensuring they remain engaged and focused despite potential emotional or behavioural barriers. Collaboration and Professional Development: Collaborate with the teacher, SENCO, and other support staff to develop individualised learning plans (ILPs) and provide the necessary support for students with SEMH needs. Attend team meetings to discuss strategies for improving student engagement, managing behaviour, and addressing emotional needs. Participate in relevant training and development opportunities to build knowledge and skills in supporting students with SEMH challenges and improve your own practice. Key Skills and Qualifications: Qualifications: Previous experience supporting young people with SEMH needs, ideally in a school, care, or residential setting. A qualification in Childcare, Health and Social Care, or a related field is desirable, though not essential. GCSEs in English and Maths (or equivalent) are required. Additional training in supporting SEMH, managing challenging behaviour, or emotional regulation is beneficial. Experience: Experience working with students or young people with SEMH challenges, particularly in a school or care environment. Familiarity with de-escalation techniques, behaviour management strategies, and providing emotional support to children and young people. Experience supporting students on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, assisting with both academic and emotional needs. Skills and Attributes: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students, colleagues, and families. Patience, empathy, and resilience in managing students with complex emotional and behavioural needs. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage with students, teachers, and external agencies effectively. A proactive and flexible approach to meeting the needs of students, adapting support strategies as required. A passion for working with young people with SEMH challenges and helping them achieve their potential in a supportive environment. Personal Specification: A caring and empathetic nature with a genuine passion for supporting students with SEMH needs. Ability to respond calmly and effectively in challenging situations, using patience and empathy to help students work through difficult emotions. Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities. A commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where students feel understood, valued, and encouraged to succeed. Willingness to participate in professional development and continually improve your skills in working with SEMH students. If you have experience in a care or residential setting and are passionate about supporting students with SEMH challenges, this is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact in a nurturing and rewarding environment. Monarch Education are proud to be a leading recruitment specialist in the Education industry. We are passionate about our people and the services we provide to our candidates. Working with Monarch Education will give you access too: Flexible working opporunities Affinity Academy - continuous learning and development A Refer a Friend Scheme giving you a bonus of up to £200 Exclusive vacancies within local Schools and Multi Academy Trusts Competitive daily rates To learn more about us and what makes Monarch one of the leading education recruitment providers nationwide - please visit our website - About Us - Monarch (monarcheducation.co.uk) Monarch Education are committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates and welcomes applications regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, religion and belief pregnancy and maternity or disability as well as adhering to strict Safeguarding procedures. Affinity Workforce Solutions and Monarch Education are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people and expects all its temporary workers to share these commitments. As this role involves working with children on a daily basis, regulated activity is that any successful applicant's applications will, accordance with statutory guidance, be subject to 2 employment references, an enhanced DBS check and a right to work in the UK check. This vacancy is based in the United Kingdom. Monarch Education operate in the UK and can only process applications from candidates who are currently UK residents and eligible to work in the UK. Whilst we will endeavour to contact you following your response, due to the high volume of applications we regret that this cannot always be possible. If you have not had notification from us within 30 days please take your application as not being successful this time but we will keep your details on file for future opportunities. 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