Teaching Assistant– Sunderland Area (full time)
Position: Part-time / Daily Teaching Assistant
Location: Sunderland area, Tyne & Wear
Hours: Flexible (daily cover / part-time)
Start date: Immediate
About the setting
This role is in a vibrant specialist school for pupils aged 2-19 with a wide range of needs (autism, severe learning difficulties, PMLD). The school values kindness, honesty and integrity, and is committed to preparing young people for adult life through supportive routines and community engagement.
Role summary
We’re seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant who can provide flexible cover and part-time support. You’ll be working with pupils with additional and complex needs, supporting learning, behaviour, emotional regulation and personal development in a specialist environment.
Key responsibilities
Provide support in lessons and small-group work, adapting as needed for individual pupil needs.
Help implement and maintain predictable, structured routines and use visual tools to reduce anxiety and support learning.
Assist with behavioural support including de-escalation, emotional regulation and self-soothing strategies.
Foster a warm, inclusive environment where pupils feel safe, respected and motivated to learn.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, therapy staff and families to support each young person’s progression and wellbeing.
Skills & experience we’re looking for
Previous experience in a specialist or SEN environment (preferred but not essential).
Comfortable supporting pupils with challenging behaviour, trauma-informed practice or complex needs.
Strong interpersonal skills, patience, calm presence and adaptability.
Able to work flexibly with daily cover requests and varying schedules.
A genuine commitment to inclusive education and helping young people succeed.
What we offer
A chance to join a passionate, experienced team in a highly respected specialist school.
Professional development opportunities and a culture of collaboration.
The satisfaction of making a meaningful impact on young people’s lives.
A flexible role that can suit your schedule and allow you to contribute in a rewarding way.
How to apply
Please send your CV along with a short covering note outlining your interest and relevant experience for a specialist setting.
We’d love to hear from you soon!
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 12.07% 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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