Complex Needs Teaching Assistant
Support, Educate, Nurture
This is a deeply rewarding opportunity to support children and young people with complex needs in a specialist classroom setting. The successful applicant will work closely with a dedicated team to provide care, consistency, and communication support for pupils aged 3 to 19, helping each learner to engage with education in a way that is meaningful to them.
The Role
This long-term temporary position (with potential to become permanent) involves supporting pupils with a wide range of needs including Autism, Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), and complex medical needs.
Duties include:
* Supporting students during lessons, breaktimes, and lunch
* Using communication techniques such as PECS and Makaton
* Supporting sensory-based learning and personalised education plans
* Assisting with mobility and physical needs, including manual handling and use of specialist equipment (training provided)
* Providing personal care where required
* Contributing to a positive and consistent classroom environment alongside the teacher and wider support team
The Ideal Person
This role requires a compassionate, resilient individual with a genuine interest in SEND. The ideal candidate will have:
* Experience supporting children or adults with complex needs or disabilities
* An understanding of SEND, particularly in relation to communication and regulation
* Positive behaviour support skills
* The ability to remain calm, patient and responsive under pressure
* A flexible, team-oriented approach
* A care qualification or degree (desirable but not essential)
Experience with personal care or manual handling is beneficial. Training will be provided to support key responsibilities.
The School
The specialist unit provides a nurturing, highly personalised learning environment for pupils aged 3–19 with complex needs. It is well-staffed, well-resourced, and deeply committed to inclusive practice and safeguarding. Staff are valued for their patience, empathy, and the safe spaces they create.
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.45 am to 3.15 pm. Both full-time and part-time applications are welcome.
This is your chance to help young people feel safe, supported, and understood every single day.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £91.00-£105.00 per day
Benefits:
* Company pension
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
Work Location: In person