Special School Support Assistant

Special School Support Assistant - SEMH (Chichester)

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.

The school is set in a peaceful location that offers space and calm for pupils to thrive-because of this, driving is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Offering gentle, personalised support to pupils with SEMH needs, autism, ADHD, attachment-related needs, anxiety, and communication differences
• Supporting children and young people who may experience emotional dysregulation, heightened anxiety, sensory overload, or challenges with transitions, routines, and social interactions
• Encouraging engagement through creative, practical, therapeutic, and hands-on learning activities suited to both primary and secondary-age pupils
• Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour through calm, consistent, and nurturing approaches
• Helping pupils develop communication skills, emotional regulation strategies, social understanding, independence, and life-skills
• Building trusting, secure relationships through warmth, patience, and clear, supportive communication
• Working closely with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams, and external professionals to provide holistic, child-centred support

Contract Details

• Location: Chichester
• Position: Special School Support Assistant
• Start Date: September 2026
• Contract Type: Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available; ad-hoc supply roles also offered
• Working Hours: 08:30am - 15:00pm
• Pay Rate: From £14.25 per hour
• Driving: Essential due to the school's location

Requirements

You must:

• Have the Right to Work in the UK
• Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply)
• Provide professional references covering the last 24 months
• 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
• Be able to drive and have access to a vehicle

What We Offer

• Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour support, and de-escalation
• Access to a specialist in-house Training & Development Team
• Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant
• A warm, inclusive school community where staff feel valued and supported
• Opportunities for professional growth and long-term development

Refer a Friend

Know someone who would flourish in a nurturing SEMH setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation (T&Cs apply).