Do you have a calm head, a steady presence and a knack for connecting with pupils who need someone firmly in their corner? A welcoming school in Durham is looking for a committed 1:1 SEMH Behaviour Support Assistant to join their team and support a pupil who needs consistency, patience and someone they can trust.

What the role involves

You’ll work closely with one pupil with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, helping them navigate the school day and build the confidence and routines they need to thrive. No two days will look the same, but your impact will always matter.

Your day might include:

• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour

• Helping the pupil manage transitions and classroom expectations

• Working alongside the SENCO, pastoral team and teaching staff

• Using de-escalation, structure and reassurance to keep learning on track

• Celebrating the small wins that add up to big change

What we’re hoping you’ll bring

• Experience with SEMH, behaviour support or trauma-informed practice

• A calm, patient and non-judgemental approach

• Strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to pupil wellbeing

• Confidence to set clear boundaries while staying warm and supportive

• Flexibility and resilience when the day takes a twist or two

If you’re Thrive trained, brilliant. If not, we can get you booked onto Protocol Education’s free Thrive training, which schools love and which gives you fantastic tools for supporting emotional development.

What you get with Protocol Education

• Weekly PAYE pay, no umbrella companies

• A supportive consultant who knows Durham schools well

• Free online CPD, including behaviour, SEMH and safeguarding modules

• Long-term work that builds real experience in SEMH support

• Opportunities across mainstream, SEMH, SEND and alternative provision

• A referral scheme if you send another great educator our way

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want a role where your presence really matters, we’d love to speak with you. Send over your CV or get in touch to find out more.

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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