1:1 Teaching Assistant - Specialist SEND School (ASD & SEMH Focus) Location: Christchurch Start Date: September 2025 Contract Type: Full-Time, Term-Time Only Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs? Do you thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment where every day brings new challenges and rewards? If so, we want to hear from you! Our successful and growing specialist school, located in Christchurch, is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic 1:1 Teaching Assistant to join our team for the upcoming academic year. We are a nurturing and inclusive school that provides a tailored and supportive education for students aged 6-16 years with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. As a 1:1 Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting a specific student to access the curriculum, develop their social and emotional skills, and achieve their full potential. You will work closely with the class teacher, SENCO, and other professionals to implement individual education plans (IEPs) and provide a safe, stimulating, and positive learning environment. Key Responsibilities: Provide individual support to a student with ASD and/or SEMH needs, adapting your approach to meet their specific requirements. Assist with the implementation of the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP), tracking progress and providing feedback. Support the student's access to the curriculum, adapting materials and activities as necessary. Help the student to develop their communication, social, and emotional regulation skills. Promote positive behaviour and manage challenging behaviour effectively and appropriately, using de-escalation techniques where needed. Build a strong and trusting relationship with the student, fostering their confidence and independence. Assist the class teacher with classroom management and organisation. Collaborate with parents, carers, and external professionals to ensure a holistic approach to the student's education and well-being. Contribute to the assessment and recording of student progress. Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities. Ensure the safety and well-being of the student at all times. We are looking for a candidate who: Has experience working with children or young people with Special Educational Needs, particularly ASD and SEMH. Possesses a genuine passion for supporting vulnerable learners. Has a calm, patient, and understanding demeanour. Is resilient and able to manage challenging situations effectively. Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build rapport with students, staff, and parents. Is a team player and can work collaboratively with colleagues. Is proactive, organized, and able to work independently when required. Has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Holds relevant qualifications (e.g., NVQ Level 2/3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning, or equivalent) is desirable but not essential. Experience is highly valued. In return, we offer: A supportive and friendly working environment within a dedicated team. The opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the lives of our students. Ongoing professional development and training opportunities. Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications. Term-time only contract, allowing for a good work-life balance. The chance to be part of a school that is committed to inclusion and excellence. If you are an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who is passionate about supporting students with SEND and you meet the requirements outlined above, we would love to hear from you! About us We are a market-leading education supply agency committed to the development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high quality educators. We’re part of The Edwin Group, an education alliance here to do good and are proud to be named in The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work in the UK 2024 We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. How to apply If you are a Teaching Assistant who can enthuse, motivate and engage learners and would like the challenge of working in a rewarding environment, then we want to hear from you. Apply today via this website, or for more information about this role and other opportunities call us on (phone number removed) or (phone number removed). Visionsouthampton