SEND Support Assistant – Sunderland (Secondary)
If you’re passionate about supporting young people who need a little extra guidance, this SEND Support Assistant position in Sunderland could be a perfect fit. The school is looking for someone compassionate, confident and ready to help pupils feel settled, understood and able to learn.
A look at your role as a SEND Support Assistant
You’ll work with pupils in KS3 and KS4 who have a range of additional needs, helping them feel confident in class, regulating emotions and building independence. You’ll be joining a welcoming SEND team who focus on positive relationships, consistency and pupil wellbeing.
Your support might include in-class help, small-group work or one-to-one sessions.
Your day-to-day impact as a SEND Support Assistant
1. Providing personalised support to pupils with SEND
2. Encouraging engagement, resilience and emotional regulation
3. Assisting with routines and transitions around school
4. Supporting teachers with behaviour strategies
5. Communicating effectively with SEND staff and pastoral teams
6. Building trust and rapport with pupils who rely on stability
You’ll be ideal for this SEND Support Assistant role if you have
7. Experience supporting young people with SEND, SEMH or behavioural needs
8. A calm, warm and proactive approach
9. Strong communication and teamwork abilities
10. Confidence supporting pupils with varied and sometimes complex needs
11. An enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply
What you’ll gain through Protocol Education
12. Weekly PAYE pay with no umbrella costs
13. Free SEND, SEMH and behaviour CPD
14. A dedicated consultant supporting you from start to finish
15. Referral bonuses
16. Flexible opportunities across local SEND and mainstream schools
About Us
Protocol Education is part of the Supporting Education Group, a family of organisations committed to improving outcomes for schools and pupils. This partnership gives us greater expertise, stronger resources and a wider support network for educators. We work closely with secondary schools across Sunderland to place compassionate SEND staff who genuinely make a difference. Everything we do is people-first, honest and supportive.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
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