Special School Support Assistant
23 days ago
Chichester
Special School Support Assistant - SEMH (Chichester) \n \n A warm, caring, and highly supportive SEMH school in Chichester is looking for Special School Support Assistants who can bring patience, empathy, and consistency to their team. The school supports pupils aged 7-16 who have a range of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, alongside additional needs such as Autism, ADHD, Attachment Disorders, Anxiety, and Speech and Language delay. \n The school is set in a peaceful location that offers space and calm for pupils to thrive-because of this, driving is essential. \n Key Responsibilities \n\n • Offering gentle, personalised support to pupils with SEMH needs, autism, ADHD, attachment-related needs, anxiety, and communication differences\n, • Supporting children and young people who may experience emotional dysregulation, heightened anxiety, sensory overload, or challenges with transitions, routines, and social interactions\n, • Encouraging engagement through creative, practical, therapeutic, and hands-on learning activities suited to both primary and secondary-age pupils\n, • Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour through calm, consistent, and nurturing approaches\n, • Helping pupils develop communication skills, emotional regulation strategies, social understanding, independence, and life-skills\n, • Building trusting, secure relationships through warmth, patience, and clear, supportive communication\n, • Working closely with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams, and external professionals to provide holistic, child-centred support\n\n Contract Details \n\n • Location: Chichester\n, • Position: Special School Support Assistant\n, • Start Date: September 2026\n, • Contract Type: Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available; ad-hoc supply roles also offered\n, • Working Hours: 08:30am - 15:00pm\n, • Pay Rate: From £14.25 per hour\n, • Driving: Essential due to the school's location\n\n Requirements \n You must: \n\n • Have the Right to Work in the UK\n, • Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply)\n, • Provide professional references covering the last 24 months\n, • Hold a Level 2/3 qualification in childcare, education, or health & social care or have relevant SEN/SEMH experience supporting young people with complex needs\n, • Be able to drive and have access to a vehicle\n\n What We Offer \n\n • Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour support, and de-escalation\n, • Access to a specialist in-house Training & Development Team\n, • Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant\n, • A warm, inclusive school community where staff feel valued and supported\n, • Opportunities for professional growth and long-term development\n\n Refer a Friend \n Know someone who would flourish in a nurturing SEMH setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation (T&Cs apply).