Make a genuine difference supporting children with complex needs.
A specialist provision in Sunderland is seeking a dedicated PMLD Support Assistant to work with pupils who have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
This role focuses on supporting children aged 5–11 within a specialist learning environment, helping them access education through personalised learning approaches, sensory activities, and structured routines.
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The Type of Person They Are Looking For
The school is looking for someone who is compassionate, patient, and committed to supporting children with complex learning needs.
Ideal candidates will be:
• Caring and nurturing in their approach
• Calm and patient when supporting pupils with additional needs
• Comfortable working closely with students requiring physical support
• Keen to learn and develop new skills
A positive attitude and willingness to learn are essential for this role.
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Experience Requirements
Experience working with children or individuals with additional needs is desirable but not essential.
The school welcomes applicants who are willing to start on a trainee support assistant scale, where they can gain experience and develop the necessary skills while working alongside experienced staff.
Training will be provided in areas such as:
• Moving and handling
• Personal care support
• Communication strategies
• Sensory learning techniques
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Daily Responsibilities
Your role will involve supporting pupils throughout the school day to ensure they are comfortable, engaged, and able to access learning activities.
Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting pupils during sensory learning sessions
• Assisting with mobility and positioning where required
• Helping students participate in interactive activities
• Supporting communication using visual aids or alternative communication systems
• Working closely with teachers and therapists
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Classroom Environment
The provision is designed to create a calm and supportive space for students with complex needs.
The environment includes:
• Sensory rooms and specialist equipment
• Small class groups with high staff ratios
• Structured routines that help students feel secure
• Collaborative work with therapy teams
Each pupil follows an individualised learning plan designed to support their development.
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Personal Care and Physical Support
Due to the needs of the students, support staff may assist with personal care tasks.
Training and guidance will always be provided.
This may include:
• Supporting with feeding
• Assisting with hygiene routines
• Helping with mobility equipment
Staff work as a team to ensure all students are supported respectfully and safely.
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Behaviour and Communication
Students may communicate in different ways, including non-verbal communication.
Support staff help by:
• Recognising individual communication methods
• Encouraging interaction through sensory engagement
• Supporting emotional wellbeing
Patience and attentiveness are key skills in this role.
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Development Opportunities
The school is committed to developing staff and offers opportunities for further training, including:
• Specialist SEN training
• Safeguarding training
• Behaviour support strategies
• Pathways into advanced SEN support roles
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Overall Ethos
The school is built on a culture of care, patience, and teamwork.
Staff are passionate about helping every student reach their full potential and celebrating every achievement, no matter how small.
This role would suit someone looking to make a meaningful and rewarding contribution to specialist education.
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Apply Today
If you are passionate about supporting children with complex needs and would like to develop a career in specialist education, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to learn more about this opportunity in Sunderland.
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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