Specialist SEMH Teaching Assistant – Surbiton

About the role

The specialist SEMH school in Surbiton is seeking a Mental Health Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 8‑16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. You will join a multidisciplinary team to help young people regulate emotions, build relationships and engage in learning.

Key responsibilities

• Provide calm, consistent support during periods of emotional dysregulation or heightened anxiety.
• Build trusting relationships that encourage confidence, resilience and positive behaviour.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral staff and external professionals to meet individual pupil needs.
• Recognise early signs of distress and implement appropriate support strategies.
• Assist with learning activities in the classroom and through structured interventions.
• Help create a safe, predictable environment that enables pupils to take risks and succeed.

Required profile

• Previous experience in SEMH or SEN is beneficial but not essential.
• Suitable for graduates in psychology, criminology, education, youth work, behaviour mentoring, residential support, care work or sports coaching.
• Motivation to work with young people facing anxiety, low self‑esteem and trauma‑related behaviours.

Required skills

What we offer

• Permanent contract with a daily rate of £100‑£110 PAYE.
• Opportunity to work in a therapeutic, relationship‑based environment with small class sizes.
• Collaboration with a supportive multidisciplinary team.