SEMH Teaching Assistant (Social, emotional & mental health)

Benefits of working at Cranford

·       Making a real difference to young people’s lives and prospects

·       Generous Conditions of Service

·       Optional Free (Paid by the trust) Healthcare Cash Plans (taxed)

·       A programme of amazing extra-curricular and international visits and exchanges

·       Annual Professional Development Conversations

·       Exceptional professional development and career progression

·       Laptop for all staff

·       A range of staff sporting and social activities

·       Workload reducing initiatives

·       Family friendly policies

·       Staff garden

Cranford Community College is a popular, friendly and vibrant secondary academy in West London.

 We have: 

·       Good transport links – The Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line are short bus rides away

·       Close proximity to the A4, M4 & M25 with free parking on site for all staff

We are looking for an SEMH Teaching Assistant to join our team to support students with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) in our Three Bridges Twilight School. The Three Bridges Twilight School is an on-site alternative provision that is specifically set up to provide education for students who are at risk of being permanently excluded. It also caters for students who are unable to attend normal lessons because of social, emotional and mental health needs. 

The Three Bridges Twilight School is part of the school’s Behaviour Management Strategy and an alternative to exclusion. Students placed in The Three Bridges Twilight School often require a higher level of support to manage their social emotional and mental health needs. They are vulnerable and receive small group teaching with a high staff/student ratio and bespoke learning programmes.

This is an opportunity for the right person to join a team of experienced, successful and highly supportive support staff working in a high-quality well-resourced environment. The successful candidate will have experience of working with students with SEMH needs. You will be working with young people with a range of SEN needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and behavioural difficulties. You must be understanding, flexible and patient with high aspirations for all students within the provision. The role involves working alongside teachers, leading and supporting with small group interventions and in-class support for targeted students or groups of students placed in our Three Bridges Twilight School.

Teaching Assistants must demonstrate a willingness to become experts in a particular field and share that expertise with staff, students and families. The main spheres of interest currently include Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Social Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). Experience working with any of these groups would be desirable but is not essential.

 Excellent literacy and numeracy skills are an essential requirement. A commitment to further training and a willingness to gain further qualifications (in work and in own time) is an essential prerequisite for any applicant.  

What you can offer:

• Have experience of working with young people in a school or similar setting
• A passion for supporting young people to be the best they can be    
• An ability to build positive relationships with children and adults
• Strong organisation skills and an ability to maintain accurate and appropriate records
• A calm, supportive manner and a willingness to be adaptable
• Delivering first class support and supervision for young people’s independent study
• Be able to develop excellent relationships with students and to motivate them to overcome barriers to learning

An application form can be found on our website www.cranford.hounslow.sch.uk under jobs and opportunities – ‘Associate staff Application Form’, Interested applicants should complete the application and email it to jobs@cranford.hounslow.sch.uk

We will contact suitable applicants as they apply and before the closing date. Please ensure you fill in all the fields on the application form. Please visit our website for more information about the academy.

The academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers must share this commitment therefore all posts are subject to enhanced DBS checking.