Trainee Teaching Assistant – SEND/SEMH

Trainee Teaching Assistant – SEND/SEMH

Calderdale, West Yorkshire
Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Level 3 Qualification | Immediate/October Start

Looking for a career working with children and young people, but don’t have school experience?

We are looking for caring, resilient and reliable people to train as Teaching Assistants within a specialist SEND/SEMH school in Calderdale.

You don’t need to already be a Teaching Assistant. If you have experience in support work, care, youth work, mental health, residential care, sports coaching, mentoring or working with vulnerable people, your skills could transfer brilliantly into this role.

You’ll work full-time within the school while completing a fully funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, giving you the chance to earn while you learn and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The Role

You’ll support children and young people aged 5–19 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and additional SEND.

Many of the pupils have found mainstream education difficult and need adults around them who are calm, consistent and able to build genuine relationships.

Day to day, you’ll be:

• Supporting pupils in the classroom on a 1:1 and small-group basis
• Building positive and trusting relationships with young people
• Helping pupils engage with learning and school life
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour
• Encouraging confidence, independence and social skills
• Remaining calm and consistent when behaviour becomes challenging
• Working alongside experienced Teachers, Teaching Assistants and specialist professionals
• Learning how to support pupils with SEND, SEMH and EHCPs

This isn’t a traditional classroom support role. Relationship-building is a huge part of the job, and you’ll be working with young people who need dependable adults who won’t give up on them when things become difficult.

No School Experience? That’s Okay.

We’re interested in your transferable skills, personality and potential, not just previous school experience.

Your background could be in:

• Support Work
• Youth Work
• Residential Care
• Children’s or Adult Social Care
• Mental Health
• Behaviour Support
• Sports Coaching
• Mentoring
• Healthcare
• Community Work
• SEND or Education

We would also consider applicants looking to begin their first career within education who can demonstrate the maturity, resilience and commitment needed for the role.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll need to be:

• Patient and resilient – some young people can present challenging behaviour
• Calm and consistent – pupils need adults they can rely on
• Approachable – building relationships is central to the role
• Reliable – this is a full-time Monday–Friday commitment
• Willing to learn – you’ll receive training and support throughout
• Passionate about helping young people succeed

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who can see the young person behind the behaviour.

Earn While You Learn

Alongside your full-time placement, you’ll complete a fully funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

You’ll develop practical experience in areas including:

SEND | SEMH | Safeguarding | Behaviour Support | Child Development | Learning Support | EHCPs

By the end of the programme, you’ll have both a nationally recognised qualification and substantial hands-on experience within a specialist school.

This can open the door to future roles including Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Worker, Pastoral Support, HLTA and other SEND/SEMH careers.

Job Details

Location: Calderdale, West Yorkshire
Setting: Specialist SEND/SEMH School
Age Range: 5–19
Hours: Full-Time, Monday–Friday
Training: Fully Funded Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Start: November 2026 / ASAP

Apply Today

If you’re looking for more than just a job and want to build a career supporting children and young people with additional needs, we’d love to hear from you.

Previous school experience isn’t essential. Your attitude, reliability and ability to connect with young people are what matter most.

Apply today to find out more about becoming a Trainee SEND/SEMH Teaching Assistant.