SEMH Support Assistant at The Basildon Lower Academy

We wish to recruit a motivated SEMH Support Assistant on a 1-year fixed-term contract who is committed to helping all students achieve their potential.

Salary Range: Band 3 FTE £28,351 - £30,681. Actual starting salary £24,316​​​ with performance-based yearly increments

Working Weeks: 39 weeks (Term Time) and Parent/Open evening as required

Working Hours: 37 hours per week (On Site 08:00 -16:00 Mon/Thurs and Outreach 08:00-15:30 Fri)

Contract: 1 Year Fixed

We pride ourselves on being a truly inclusive academy, and this is actively underpinned by our motto ‘Aspire Believe Achieve’. We run our own in-house Enhanced Provisions to provide support for young people, guided by the values of Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP).

Evolve is designed to offer early intervention and support for students with significant social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs in their transition from KS2 to KS3. Our aim is to provide a nurturing, therapeutic environment where students can overcome barriers, build resilience, and re-engage with their education.

This provision is based at our Lower Academy and is where the successful candidate will begin their BA career.

The role:

• To support learners’ reintegration and transition back to their referring setting or named provider, helping to ensure continuity of care, consistency of strategies, and positive long-term outcomes
• Deliver outreach support to referring schools within the South Quadrant
• To work as part of a compassionate, professional team to support and enable the social, emotional and academic progress of vulnerable learners
• To contribute towards the positive impact of the SEMH Enhanced Provision where every child has hope and the opportunity to reach their own potential regardless of their starting point
• To provide high-quality support for children who require targeted support to develop their social and emotional skills
• To work under the professional direction of the Head of Provision, including contributing to a safe learning environment, consistent relationships, teaching, and assessment

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

• Excellent numeracy/literacy skills – equivalent to Level 2 in English & Maths
• Use of ICT effectively to support learning
• Be able to evidence the ability to work independently, show your own initiative, and be able to make decisions confidently
• Have a patient, encouraging and resilient demeanour
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, with clear and concise communication
• Ability to effectively manage their own wellbeing in a challenging, high-paced environment where adults are often exposed to secondary trauma and challenging crisis incidents

Closing Date: Monday 24th August 2026

Interviews WC 31/08 or 07/09

Position Available: September 2026

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications or are able to fill the position faster than originally anticipated.