Are you looking for a role where you can truly make a difference in young people's lives?
Do you have experience supporting children or vulnerable individuals, or a genuine interest in SEND and mental health?

A specialist school in Southend, Essex is seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant / Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is a rewarding opportunity to join a supportive and experienced team, working closely with pupils who thrive with structure, consistency and positive adult relationships. Experience within an SEMH or SEN setting is beneficial but not essential — the school values resilience, empathy and the right attitude above all else.

The ideal candidate will:
Demonstrate a calm, positive and resilient approach
Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils
Show patience, empathy and consistency when supporting behaviour
Feel confident supporting children with SEMH and additional needs

Role details:
Long-term, full-time position
Monday to Friday | 8:30am - 3:30pm
Based in Southend, Essex

Applications are welcomed from candidates commuting from Basildon, Benfleet, Wickford, Billericay, Chelmsford, Stanford-le-Hope, Grays and Canvey Island.

If you are passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and are looking for a meaningful, long-term role within a specialist setting, we would love to hear from you.

This role is being recruited in partnership with Protocol Education.

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.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website