Apprentice SEND Teaching Assistant

Apprentice SEND Teaching Assistant 

Calderdale, West Yorkshire
Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship | October Start

Are you looking to start a career supporting children and young people with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs?

Perhaps you have experience in care, youth work, residential support, mental health, behaviour support, sports coaching or working with vulnerable young people and want to transfer those skills into education.

We are recruiting an Apprentice Teaching Assistant to join an outstanding specialist school supporting children and young people aged 5–19 with complex SEMH needs.

Previous school experience is not essential. This opportunity is designed for someone who has the right personality, resilience and commitment to build a long-term career within specialist education.

About the School

The school provides specialist education and care for children and young people aged 5–19 with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive highly personalised support.

Classes are small with high staff-to-pupil ratios, allowing staff to build strong relationships and provide consistent, individualised support.

Education is complemented by a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, with young people having access to professionals including psychotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech & Language Therapists.

The school takes a nurturing and trauma-informed approach, supporting young people not only academically but with their emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience, independence and preparation for adulthood.

The Role

As an Apprentice Teaching Assistant, you will work alongside experienced Teachers, Teaching Assistants, care professionals and therapeutic staff while completing your Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification.

You will support young people who may have experienced significant barriers to education and can present with complex emotional, behavioural and social needs.

Your role will include:

• Building positive, consistent and trusting relationships with young people
• Supporting pupils to engage and re-engage with education
• Providing individual and small-group classroom support
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour
• Helping young people develop confidence, resilience and independence
• Responding calmly to behaviours that may challenge
• Understanding the individual needs and EHCP outcomes of pupils
• Supporting young people with social and life skills
• Working closely with teaching, care and therapeutic professionals
• Providing a consistent and reliable presence for pupils

Who Are We Looking For?

You do not need to be an experienced Teaching Assistant.

We are particularly interested in people with transferable experience from:

• Youth work
• Children’s or adult social care
• Residential care
• Mental health support
• Behaviour or pastoral support
• Support work
• Sports coaching
• Mentoring
• Healthcare
• Community or voluntary work
• Working with vulnerable children, young people or adults

We are also open to applicants looking to start their first career within education who can demonstrate the right attitude and commitment.

You’ll Be a Great Fit If You Are:

• Calm, patient and emotionally resilient
• Able to build relationships with young people who may initially find it difficult to trust adults
• Confident maintaining professional boundaries
• Able to remain consistent when faced with challenging behaviour
• Reliable and committed to attending five days per week
• Open to feedback, training and professional development
• Interested in understanding behaviour rather than simply reacting to it
• Passionate about supporting young people who have experienced barriers to education

The Apprenticeship

Alongside gaining hands-on experience within a specialist SEMH school, you will work towards a fully funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification.

This gives you the opportunity to earn while you learn, developing practical experience alongside a nationally recognised qualification.

You’ll receive support throughout the programme and develop your knowledge of areas including SEND, safeguarding, child development, behaviour, learning support and working effectively within a school environment.

This is an excellent route into a long-term career within SEND, SEMH and specialist education.

Job Details

Role: Apprentice Teaching Assistant
Location: Calderdale, West Yorkshire 
Setting: Specialist SEMH School & Sixth Form
Age Range: 5–19
Hours: Full-Time, Monday–Friday
Qualification: Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Start: October 2026

Apply Now

If you want a career where you can make a genuine difference to young people who haven’t always found education easy, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need years of school experience. We’re looking for people with resilience, empathy, consistency and the willingness to learn.

Apply today to discuss the Apprentice Teaching Assistant opportunity further.