SEMH Teaching Assistant - Ideal for Ex-Military, Coaches, Youth Workers & Creative Professionals
Croydon / Bromley
Location: Croydon
Start Date: ASAP / February Half Term
Contract: Full-time or Part-time | Long-term (with some short-term options)
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Use your real-world skills where they matter most
If you've worked in the armed forces, coaching, youth or community work, or the creative industries (acting, music, arts, performance), this role offers a clear path into meaningful, long-term work supporting young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
We're working with established SEN Trusts across Croydon, Bromley and South East London who value presence, structure, consistency, and emotional intelligence just as much as formal classroom experience.
This is not a passive support role. It's about leading by example, holding boundaries, reading situations quickly, and building trust with young people who often respond best to strong, authentic adults.
Why Your Background Fits This Role
Ex-Military & Uniformed Services
Strong sense of structure, routine, and accountability
Calm under pressure and confident in high-stress situations
Experience leading, mentoring, and supporting others
Natural authority combined with discipline and fairness
Sports Coaches
Used to motivating individuals and teams
Skilled in behaviour management, boundaries, and consistency
Experience working with young people who struggle with regulation
Ability to model resilience, teamwork, and self-control
Youth & Community Workers
Experienced in trauma-informed approaches
Confident supporting challenging behaviour
Strong relationship-building and de-escalation skills
Comfortable working with complex emotional needs
Actors, Musicians & Artists
High emotional intelligence and awareness
Strong communication and presence
Ability to engage, inspire, and redirect behaviour creatively
Experience working with emotions, identity, and self-expression
The Role
You'll support pupils across Primary and Secondary settings with needs including SEMH, complex mental health challenges, ADHD, and ASD. Each school environment is different, and we carefully match you to a setting where your personality, strengths, and experience will have the greatest impact.
Trusts use clear behaviour frameworks with a strong focus on de-escalation, consistency, and relationship-based practice.
What We're Looking For
Experience supporting or working with young people or vulnerable individuals
(Education experience is helpful but not essential)Confidence managing challenging behaviour in a calm, controlled way
A steady, reliable presence who can hold boundaries
Empathy, patience, and emotional resilience
An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service
(We can support this process if required)A genuine desire to make a long-term difference
Why Join These Trusts?
Strong leadership and supportive teams
Structured environments with clear expectations
Ongoing training and CPD (including PRICE / Team Teach)
Opportunities to progress into permanent roles
Work that is demanding, purposeful, and genuinely rewarding
Interested?
If you're looking to transfer your real-world experience into a role with meaning and stability, this could be the right move.
Apply today to work in a setting where who you are and how you show up matters.
Get in touch by emailing
