SEN/SEMH Teaching assistant, Sharpness

Five Education is looking for a resilient, proactive, and committed Teaching Assistant to work within a highly alternative provision setting in Sharpness, Gloucestershire. This role supports students who attend on a part‑time basis and have a wide range of needs, including SEMH, Autism (ASC), speech and language difficulties, and school refusal. Classes are very small and much of the role involves 1:1 support, requiring strong relationship‑building skills and consistent supervision. Due to the rural location of the school, you must have access to a car, as the setting is not accessible via public transport. The setting offers a highly flexible and therapeutic approach to learning, where education is adapted to meet each pupil’s individual needs. Students may engage in learning outdoors, use sensory spaces, or take part in hands‑on projects such as gardening, growing vegetables, or building areas within the school grounds. This role requires someone who is confident, adaptable, and always aware, as some pupils may struggle with engagement or move around the setting, requiring calm and consistent supervision.

• Provide 1:1 support to students with SEMH, ASC, and additional needs
• Maintain a high level of supervision, ensuring pupils remain safe and supported
• Support learning in both indoor and outdoor environments, adapting to pupils’ needs
• Build strong, trusting relationships to encourage engagement and participation

• Resilient, proactive, and calm individual who can respond to changing situations
• Experience working with children or young people with SEMH or additional needs
• Confidence in managing behaviour and maintaining consistent boundaries
• Valid UK driving licence and right to work in the UK (no sponsorship or skilled worker visas)
• Able to provide two recent references (from the last two years)
• Hold a current DBS check registered on the Update Service, or be willing to apply for one

• Free specialised training in areas such as Team Teach, Makaton, PMLD/SLD Awareness, Autism Awareness, and more
• Free DBS (refunded after 20 days of work)
• Recommendation bonus scheme
• Specialist support/mentoring while working
• Transparent PAYE payroll with holiday pay included

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as they are currently under‑represented at this level.