Looking for a role where you can genuinely make a difference to children with complex needs?
Some pupils require more than classroom support to access learning and development. Hydrotherapy sessions are a vital part of their physical wellbeing, helping to improve mobility, muscle tone and confidence.
A specialist SEN provision in South Shields is seeking a Hydrotherapy Support Assistant to work with pupils who have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), complex physical disabilities and medical needs.
This role involves supporting pupils aged 5–16 years during hydrotherapy sessions as well as assisting within the classroom throughout the school day.
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The Type of Person They Are Looking For
The school is looking for someone who is caring, patient and comfortable supporting pupils with significant additional needs.
They are particularly interested in candidates who are:
• Calm and reassuring in their approach
• Comfortable supporting pupils with mobility and physical needs
• Attentive to non-verbal communication
• Positive and enthusiastic about SEN support
• Able to work closely with teachers, therapists and support staff
Building trust with pupils is a key part of this role.
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Experience Requirements
Previous experience working with children, care settings or SEN is desirable but not essential.
The school welcomes candidates who may be new to specialist education and can offer a trainee support assistant scale while staff develop the required skills.
Applicants from the following backgrounds often succeed in this role:
• Care support work
• Health and social care
• Childcare or nursery work
• Sports coaching or physiotherapy interest
• Psychology or education graduates
Full training and guidance will be provided.
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Daily Responsibilities
Hydrotherapy Sessions
A key part of the role will involve supporting pupils during hydrotherapy sessions within the school's specialist pool.
Your responsibilities may include:
• Supporting pupils safely in the hydrotherapy pool
• Assisting physiotherapists with hydrotherapy exercises
• Helping pupils improve movement, balance and flexibility
• Encouraging pupils to engage in water-based therapy activities
• Ensuring pupils remain safe and comfortable during sessions
Hydrotherapy sessions are carefully structured and supervised by trained professionals.
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Classroom Support
Outside of hydrotherapy sessions, you will support pupils within the classroom environment.
This may include:
• Supporting sensory learning activities
• Assisting pupils with communication systems
• Encouraging participation in lessons
• Helping pupils remain comfortable and engaged
• Supporting small group activities
Many pupils communicate through alternative methods such as gestures, eye gaze or communication devices.
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Personal Care and Physical Support
Due to the needs of the pupils, staff may assist with:
• Personal care routines
• Mobility support and positioning equipment
• Feeding assistance where required
Full moving and handling training will be provided.
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School Environment
The provision offers a calm, structured environment designed for pupils with complex needs.
Facilities include:
• A specialist hydrotherapy pool
• Sensory rooms
• Physiotherapy support areas
• Small classes with high staff ratios
Staff work closely together to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
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Behaviour & Communication
Many pupils communicate non-verbally.
Support staff learn to recognise communication through:
• Facial expressions
• Body movement
• Eye gaze
• Communication aids
Patience and attentiveness are key skills in this role.
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Development Opportunities
Staff are supported with ongoing training including:
• Hydrotherapy safety procedures
• Moving and handling
• Safeguarding
• Autism and complex needs training
• Behaviour support strategies
Many staff develop specialist SEN careers through roles like this.
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Overall Ethos
The school believes every pupil deserves opportunities to develop physically, emotionally and socially.
Hydrotherapy plays an important role in improving wellbeing and independence for pupils with complex needs.
This role would suit someone who is caring, proactive and passionate about supporting children with additional needs.
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Apply Today
If you would like to work in a rewarding role supporting pupils with complex needs in a specialist environment, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to find out more about this Hydrotherapy Support Assistant role in South Shield
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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