Learning Support Assistant –Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)

Leeds East Academy, Leeds, LS14 6HA

25 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  2 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  5 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Learning support or cover supervisor
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, term time only plus 10 days
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: B3 (Actual Salary £23,292 to £24,826)

What skills and experience we're looking for

Support for Students

• Provide day-to-day support for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs within the Connect provision.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships to promote emotional regulation, resilience and engagement in learning.
• Support students to develop key routines, independence and self-management skills.
• Implement individual support strategies as directed, including SEMH-focused interventions and behaviour-regulation approaches.
• Assist students in accessing an adapted curriculum through scaffolded learning tasks, 1:1 support, and small-group work.
• Promote and reinforce positive behaviour, using de-escalation techniques and restorative approaches where appropriate.

Support for Learning and Teaching

• Work collaboratively with the Inclusion Leader in the room to ensure a calm, structured and purposeful learning environment.
• Prepare, adapt and organise learning resources to meet pupils’ individual needs.
• Support the delivery of tailored activities and interventions designed to re-engage learners and build confidence.
• Monitor pupil engagement and progress, providing feedback to the Inclusion Leader and Connect Manager.
• Assist with the implementation of personalised plans, including Individual Support Plans, Pupil Passports and relevant strategies and intervention outlined in Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Connect Provision Operations

• Contribute to maintaining a safe, nurturing and consistent environment across the Connect provision.
• Support the smooth running of routines such as transitions, breakfast club, entry/exit procedures and structured breaks.
• Record observations, pastoral notes and relevant information accurately and promptly using school systems.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Connect team of five staff members to ensure shared expectations and consistent practice.
• Assist in maintaining an organised, well-resourced and welcoming learning space.

Professional Responsibilities, Relationships and Collaboration

• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism and safeguarding standards at all times.
• Participate in training related to SEMH, trauma-informed practice, de-escalation and Special Education Needs and Disabilities support (SEND).
• Engage in regular team briefings, supervision and reflection meetings to support high-quality practice.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Connect provision by sharing insights, ideas and good practice.
• Work collaboratively with classroom teachers, specialist staff, and other professionals to support student outcomes.
• Develop strong relationships with students, acting as a positive role model and upholding high expectations with high support.
• Liaise sensitively and effectively with families, attending meetings and providing updates as required.

Administrative and Practical Support

• Assist with preparing, maintaining, and using specialist equipment and resources (e.g. overlays, writing boards).
• Support in exam settings by acting as a scribe, reader, or invigilator as required.
• Provide personal assistance during physical or practical activities (e.g. PE, cookery, school visits).
• Supervise students during off-site trips or extra-curricular activities as required.
• Attend training, meetings, and learning activities to support ongoing development in the Learning Support Assistant role.
• Understand and comply with safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, and data protection policies.
• Recognise personal strengths and areas for development and support colleagues as needed.
• Uphold and model the academy’s Core Values in all interactions.

What the school offers its staff

Terms and Conditions

All of our employees benefit from nationally negotiated terms and conditions including STPCD (teachers) or NJC Green book (support staff). This includes our commitment to the Real Living Wage Foundation.

Long Service Recognition

After 5 years continuous service, support staff will receive 5 additional days of annual leave entitlement (pro rata).

Flexible Working

We offer flexible working arrangements from term time only, part-time, job share opportunities, as well as hybrid working where possible. Flexible working can also be requested for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing champions and Mental Health First Aiders are available in each of our academies, demonstrating our commitment to, and support for staff.

Family Friendly Policies

At the heart of our policies we strive to be family orientated to support work/life balance. This includes a policy to support emergency and special leave where required.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

All colleagues and their families have access to Health Assured, a confidential service to support our colleagues with their wellbeing. This includes access to a Health Assured app.

Generous Pensions Schemes

All employees benefit from wither Teachers Pension Scheme or LGPS.

Eye Test Vouchers

Employees using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) are provided with a free eye test and up to £69 towards selected glasses* , funded by the trust. If glasses are needed solely for DSE use, the trust will pay. (*Subject to terms and conditions).

Colleague Recognition Schemes

We have a variety of schemes across our schools that allows our staff to be recognised and thanked for their hard work.

Our Commitment to Wellbeing

Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.

Car Parking

Through our commitment to wellbeing we have committed to the staff wellbeing charter. This is in addition to being accredited as a Mindful Employer.

Headspace

We are delighted to offer access to Headspace which is available for free, for all of our colleagues. Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you through science.

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

All colleagues have access to both the Tech Scheme and the Cycle to work scheme, which allows colleagues to spread the cost of these purchases, making NI savings of up to 12%.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Connect is our academy’s specialist, nurturing pathway for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Purpose-built and highly resourced, it offers a calm, structured environment where pupils receive personalised support to re-engage with learning and rebuild confidence.

The provision includes two dedicated learning rooms, each led by an Inclusion Leader who ensures consistency, aspiration and a positive climate for growth. Oversight comes from the Connect Manager, who drives the strategic vision and maintains high-quality support across the team. You’ll be joining a committed group of five colleagues, all working together to deliver a cohesive, specialist offer for our learners.

Connect provides an adapted curriculum, targeted interventions and exceptional pastoral care to help students overcome barriers, develop key social and emotional skills, and prepare for a successful return to mainstream lessons.

In this role, you’ll be central to that mission. Working closely with the Inclusion Leader, Connect Manager and teaching staff, you’ll help create a safe, encouraging space where pupils feel understood and supported. Your work will include guiding emotional regulation, promoting engagement, supporting daily routines and delivering tailored activities that make a real difference.

This is a rewarding opportunity to champion some of our most vulnerable learners through a compassionate, relationship‑driven approach—giving every student the tools they need to thrive.

Commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures and an enhanced DBS check.
Please note this role will involve contact with children and you will be engaging in regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome, irrespective of
sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

WRAT Recruitment Pack 2026.pdf - 2.79 MB (opens in new tab)

2766 Learning Support Assistant (SEMH) Job Description and Person Specification.pdf - 246 KB (opens in new tab)

About Leeds East Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1016 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leeds East Academy website
• Email address: wrat-hr@whiteroseacademies.org
• Phone number: 0113 273 1964
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/leeds-east-academy

Leeds East Academy is an over-subscribed 11-16 academy that has recently achieved the title of UK Parliament School of the Year. We are a vibrant, diverse and welcoming academy community who are committed to securing our highly ambitious vision of ‘Everyone Exceptional’ for every single member of our wonderful school. Over the last three years the school has been on a rapid journey of transformation which has resulted in significant improvements in attendance, progress, and behaviour. We received a ‘good’ judgement in our 2019 Ofsted inspection and every member of our community is determined to convert this to outstanding and beyond at our next inspection.

We are proud to be an academy who forms part of the High-Performance Learner international community and our vision of ‘Everyone Exceptional’ is underpinned by the principles of High-Performance Learner. The principles simply foster the belief that every child can and will perform highly and are able to excel both academically and personally within the right climate and culture. We have worked closely with our academy community to develop a culture and climate in which both staff and students can flourish.

Our academy is committed to delivering an outstanding education to each and every one of our students. We provide exceptional life training; harnessing the skills and fortifying the aspirations of young people, who we know will transform the region and provide a positive, progressive contribution to society.

White Rose Academies Trust is a local trust dedicated to raising and fulfilling the ambitions of young people. Our academies throughout Leeds are at the heart of the communities they serve, which is why we are committed to delivering an outstanding education to every one of our students.

Arranging a visit to Leeds East Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email wrat-hr@whiteroseacademies.org.

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