Make a genuine difference every single day. A highly specialist and nurturing school in South Shields is seeking a compassionate and dedicated PMLD Teaching Assistant to join their experienced team supporting pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and complex additional needs. This is a truly rewarding opportunity to work within a school that places dignity, respect, communication and holistic development at the centre of everything they do. Staff are passionate about ensuring every pupil, regardless of their level of need, is supported to reach their full potential in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. The school follows a person-centred approach, recognising that every learner communicates and experiences the world differently. Learning is tailored to meet individual needs through sensory experiences, therapeutic support and highly personalised education programmes. About the Pupils The pupils you will support have a range of complex needs, including: Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) Severe learning disabilities Complex medical needs Physical disabilities Sensory impairments Communication difficulties Many pupils are non-verbal and communicate using a combination of: Eye gaze Objects of reference PECS Makaton Body language and facial expressions Understanding and responding to these communication methods is a key part of the role. The School’s Ethos This school believes every child deserves: Respect A voice Meaningful learning experiences A strong sense of belonging Staff work hard to create a calm, structured and nurturing environment where pupils feel secure and valued. The focus is not only academic progress but also communication development, emotional wellbeing, independence and life skills. Teamwork is central to the school community, with teachers, therapists, support staff and families working closely together to ensure the best outcomes for every learner. Your Role As a PMLD Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils throughout the school day. Your responsibilities will include: Supporting pupils with personalised learning activities Delivering sensory-based learning experiences Assisting with communication strategies Supporting pupils during therapy sessions Encouraging engagement, exploration and interaction Supporting personal care and physical needs Working closely with teachers and specialist staff Monitoring and celebrating small but meaningful achievements You will be expected to be actively involved in lessons, supporting pupils in a way that encourages curiosity, engagement and confidence. Learning Environment Classrooms are designed to support pupils with complex needs and may include: Multi-sensory learning areas Sensory rooms Specialist equipment Communication aids Therapeutic resources Learning often takes place through: Sensory exploration Music and sound movement and physical interaction visual and tactile resources structured routines Progress is measured through engagement, communication and independence, recognising that even the smallest step forward is a major achievement. The Ideal Candidate The school is looking for someone who is: Patient, calm and compassionate Emotionally resilient Highly observant Positive and enthusiastic Committed to inclusive education Comfortable supporting complex needs Experience supporting PMLD, SEN or care environments is beneficial but not essential. The most important quality is a genuine passion for supporting children with complex needs. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. Interested? If you are passionate about supporting children with complex needs and would like to learn more about this rewarding opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Apply today or get in touch for more information about this role. 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. Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.