Special School Support Assistant

<p><strong>Special School Support Assistant - SEMH (Chichester)</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p>The school is set in a peaceful location that offers space and calm for pupils to thrive-because of this, <strong>driving is essential</strong>.</p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p><ul><li>Offering gentle, personalised support to pupils with SEMH needs, autism, ADHD, attachment-related needs, anxiety, and communication differences</li><li>Supporting children and young people who may experience emotional dysregulation, heightened anxiety, sensory overload, or challenges with transitions, routines, and social interactions</li><li>Encouraging engagement through creative, practical, therapeutic, and hands-on learning activities suited to both primary and secondary-age pupils</li><li>Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour through calm, consistent, and nurturing approaches</li><li>Helping pupils develop communication skills, emotional regulation strategies, social understanding, independence, and life-skills</li><li>Building trusting, secure relationships through warmth, patience, and clear, supportive communication</li><li>Working closely with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams, and external professionals to provide holistic, child-centred support</li></ul><p><strong>Contract Details</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Location:</strong> Chichester</li><li><strong>Position:</strong> Special School Support Assistant</li><li><strong>Start Date:</strong> September 2026</li><li><strong>Contract Type:</strong> Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available; ad-hoc supply roles also offered</li><li><strong>Working Hours:</strong> 08:30am - 15:00pm</li><li><strong>Pay Rate:</strong> From £14.25 per hour</li><li><strong>Driving:</strong> Essential due to the school's location</li></ul><p><strong>Requirements</strong></p><p>You must:</p><ul><li>Have the Right to Work in the UK</li><li>Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply)</li><li>Provide professional references covering the last 24 months</li><li>Hold a Level 2/3 qualification in childcare, education, or health & social care <strong>or</strong> have relevant SEN/SEMH experience supporting young people with complex needs</li><li>Be able to drive and have access to a vehicle</li></ul><p><strong>What We Offer</strong></p><ul><li>Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour support, and de-escalation</li><li>Access to a specialist in-house Training & Development Team</li><li>Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant</li><li>A warm, inclusive school community where staff feel valued and supported</li><li>Opportunities for professional growth and long-term development</li></ul><p><strong>Refer a Friend</strong></p><p>Know someone who would flourish in a nurturing SEMH setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation (T&Cs apply).</p><img src="https://www.jobg8.com/Tracking.aspx?aP%2fblHlMLSvMXsDZUdMUclTAh7Ia3QIXr" width="0" height="0" />