Trauma‑Informed Counsellor Teaching Assistant 

Trauma‑Informed Counsellor Teaching Assistant

Are you a counsellor, therapist or mental health support worker ready for a new challenge? Sense Education is hiring a Teaching Assistant for a specialist school in Leeds. This Leeds‑based opportunity lets you use your trauma‑informed experience in a school setting, supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Step into the classroom and help young people build resilience, reconnect with learning, and believe in their future.

This role is ideal for those with experience in counselling, youth work, social care, or trauma support. If you’ve seen the difference that safe, consistent relationships can make — and want to be that person for a young learner — this could be your next step. You’ll gain valuable experience in education while continuing to use your therapeutic skills in a meaningful and consistent way.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils in the classroom who have SEMH needs linked to trauma, emotional regulation, attachment, or behavioural challenges
• Working closely with teachers to deliver personalised educational and behavioural plans, based on EHCPs
• Helping pupils build emotional resilience, manage behaviours and re‑engage with their learning
• Offering calm, consistent support that helps young people feel safe, understood and ready to succeed
• Working Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm — no shift work or weekends

Who We’re Looking For

• Minimum qualifications required: A recognised Teaching Assistant qualification or a background in education or care (NVQ, CACHE, Degree, or equivalent)
• Counsellors, therapists or trauma‑informed practitioners who want to transition into education
• Individuals with qualifications or experience in youth work, mental health, social services or care settings
• Calm, nurturing, and emotionally intelligent individuals who understand how trauma impacts behaviour
• Excellent communicators who build trust easily and work well in a team
• A recognised Teaching Assistant qualification is required for mainstream school settings in Leeds
• Prior classroom experience is welcome but not essential — what matters most is your ability to connect, support and care

The School
You’ll join a setting where emotional wellbeing comes first. The school has a strong focus on trauma‑informed practice, with a team that understands the value of therapeutic support and inclusive learning. You’ll be part of a collaborative environment, working with teachers, therapists and specialists to help every pupil move forward with confidence.

Working Hours and Details

• Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm
• Location – Leeds
• Role Type: Full Time / Part Time/ Temp – Perm
• Pay Rate: £14.60 – £16.90 per hour

The Benefits

• Competitive pay
• No shift work or evenings
• An opportunity to use your therapeutic skills in a new, rewarding environment
• Long‑term role with the potential to become permanent

If you’re ready to use your counselling or trauma‑care experience in a school that values emotional support as much as academic success, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.

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