Teaching Assistant

West Hill Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive community school committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and able to achieve their potential. We place strong emphasis on positive relationships, nurture, emotional wellbeing, high expectations and developing confident, curious learners. Our Inclusion Base provides specialist support for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The provision offers a relational, trauma-informed and therapeutic approach, while maintaining clear pathways for pupils to participate successfully in the wider school community and, where appropriate, reintegrate into mainstream learning. We are seeking two compassionate, resilient and skilled Teaching Assistants to work alongside the Inclusion Base Teacher and wider staff team. This is an important role for someone who understands that behaviour is communication, values relationships and consistency, and is passionate about helping children develop the skills, confidence and emotional security they need to succeed.

Purpose of the Role:

To work as an integral member of the Inclusion Base team, supporting the teacher in delivering a safe, structured and nurturing learning environment for pupils with SEMH and additional SEND needs. The successful candidate will provide high-quality learning, pastoral and regulation support, enabling pupils to access education, develop independence and make progress academically, socially and emotionally. The post holder will also contribute to a consistent whole-school approach to inclusion, working collaboratively with mainstream staff to help pupils develop the skills and confidence to participate successfully in the wider school.

We are looking for teaching assistants who:

• Have experience supporting children with SEND and/or SEMH needs
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusion and ensuring that every child can succeed
• Understand the importance of positive relationships, consistency, boundaries and emotional safety
• Be able to respond calmly and appropriately to challenging or dysregulated behaviour
• Demonstrate an understanding that behaviour is a form of communication
• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Be able to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and wider school team
• Have high expectations of pupils' learning, behaviour and personal development
• Be patient, resilient, reflective and emotionally attuned
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Be willing to undertake relevant training and professional development
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate high standards of professional conduct

Desirable qualities include:

• A relevant Teaching Assistant or childcare qualification
• Experience working in an SEMH, nurture, specialist provision or therapeutic setting
• Training or experience in trauma-informed or attachment-aware practice
• Training in positive behaviour support, de-escalation, restorative practice or Team Teach/positive handling