Some young people simply need the right support, patience and encouragement to help them succeed in education.

A specialist SEMH provision in the Sunderland area is seeking a Trainee Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 11–16 who experience social, emotional and mental health challenges.

Many pupils within the school may have experienced barriers to learning in mainstream education. The school’s ethos centres around restoring confidence, building resilience and helping pupils re-engage with education through positive relationships and structured support.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to begin a career supporting young people and making a genuine difference.

The School’s Ethos and Values

The school believes that every young person deserves a fresh start and the opportunity to succeed.

Staff focus on:

• Building strong, trusting relationships with pupils
• Encouraging positive behaviour through understanding and consistency
• Creating a safe and structured learning environment
• Helping pupils develop self-regulation and emotional awareness
• Supporting pupils in developing life skills and independence

Staff are trained to work collaboratively, ensuring that pupils receive consistent guidance and encouragement throughout the school day.

The Role

As a Trainee Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant, you will play an important role in helping pupils feel supported and engaged in learning.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting pupils during lessons to help them remain engaged with learning
• Encouraging positive behaviour and reinforcing clear expectations
• Working with small groups of pupils who may require additional support
• Helping pupils manage emotions during challenging situations
• Supporting teachers with behaviour strategies and classroom routines
• Acting as a positive role model for pupils

The role requires patience, empathy and the ability to remain calm and supportive even in challenging situations.

The Pupils You Will Support

Pupils may present with a range of additional needs including:

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH)
• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Condition
• Attachment difficulties
• Behavioural challenges linked to anxiety or emotional regulation

Many pupils benefit from structured routines, positive reinforcement and consistent support.

Experience Requirements

Previous experience working with young people is beneficial, however direct school experience is not essential.

The school welcomes applicants from backgrounds such as:

• Youth work
• Coaching or sports mentoring
• Care work
• Psychology graduates
• Support work
• Residential care

Successful candidates may begin on a Trainee Teaching Assistant scale while developing their classroom experience.

The School Environment

The school is designed to provide a calm and supportive setting for pupils who require additional guidance.

You can expect:

• Small class sizes
• High staff-to-pupil ratios
• A strong pastoral support network
• Clear routines and behaviour structures
• Opportunities for professional development

Staff work closely together to ensure pupils receive consistent and supportive guidance.

Apply Today

If you are passionate about supporting young people and would like to begin a career in education, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to learn more about this Trainee Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant role in Sunderland.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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