Communication and Interaction Assistant
Communication and Interaction Assistant
Location: Ashington, Northumberland
Contract: Term-time only
Hours: 08:30 – 15:30, Monday – Friday
Start: As soon as possible
Are you passionate about supporting children with communication and interaction needs? Would you like to make a real difference in a specialist environment where communication is central to learning and wellbeing? Milk Education is partnering with this SEND provision to recruit a Communication and Interaction Assistant to join their dedicated team.
About the school…
It is a purpose built SEND school serving children aged 4 to 18. Their students often have complex and multiple learning disabilities, speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), Autism, and sensory or physical needs.
They are committed to overcoming barriers to progress through:
1. Specialist, skilled teaching and a communication rich, highly therapeutic curriculum
2. Strong multi-agency collaboration and partnership with parents/carers, therapists and external professionals
3. A clear focus on communication, interaction and engagement, staff build trusting relationships and use consistent approaches to support expressive and receptive language, social communication, and emotional regulation
Working at this school means being part of a community where every interaction matters, every child’s voice is valued, and staff play a vital role in developing pupils’ confidence, independence and communication skills.
Role: Communication and Interaction Assistant
In this role, you will work closely with the Class Teacher and the wider multidisciplinary team to support pupils’ communication, interaction, engagement and wellbeing, both in and out of the classroom.
Key Responsibilities
4. Follow all school policies and procedures
5. Support pupils with communication and interaction needs, using a range of strategies including AAC, visual supports, now/next boards and structured routines
6. Assist with feeding, personal care and hygiene support as required
7. Support the Class Teacher in delivering lessons, adapt communication methods, scaffold learning and maintain meaningful pupil engagement
8. Promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation in line with school approaches
9. Build positive, trusting relationships that support functional communication, interaction and social understanding
10. Encourage pupils to express needs, emotions and ideas through verbal, non-verbal and alternative communication methods
11. Monitor and report on pupil progress, behaviour, engagement and wellbeing
Essential Criteria (Non-Negotiables)
12. Recent, relevant experience working with children or adults with learning disabilities, Autism and/or communication and interaction needs — in educational or care settings
13. Confidence supporting pupils with SLCN, including expressive and receptive language needs
14. Comfortable providing personal care (e.g. feeding, hygiene)
15. Ability to remain calm, patient and consistent, particularly when supporting dysregulation or communication breakdowns
16. Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
17. A caring, flexible and resilient approach
Why work with Milk Education
18. We’ll support your application if you wish to transition into a permanent role
19. Free lesson plan resources to ease your workload
20. 24/7 access to your personal consultant
21. Training and professional development support, including SEND and communication-focused CPD
22. We’re an eco-friendly, purpose-driven agency with a mission to be the most rewarding agency to work both with and for
If you’re ready to make a real difference by supporting communication, interaction and connection in a specialist SEND setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Click ‘apply now’ or contact me directly for more details:
0191 486 2500