Psychology Graduate SEND Teaching Assistant | Specialist School Support Role (Peterlee)
Ideal for Psychology Graduates, Occupational Therapy Graduates, and those pursuing careers in Educational Psychology
Are you a psychology graduate looking for hands-on experience working with children who have a range of special educational needs? Want a role that directly supports your long-term goals in educational psychology, child development or therapy? A warm, inclusive specialist SEND school in the Peterlee area is looking for compassionate and proactive graduates to join their team as SEND Teaching Assistants.
This is an exceptional opportunity for psychology graduates to gain meaningful, practical experience supporting pupils with a broad variety of needs, including:
1. Autism (ASC)
2. ADHD
3. Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs
4. Learning difficulties
5. Sensory processing needs
6. Communication and interaction needs
7. Physical and complex medical needs
Every day brings new learning, new challenges and the chance to make a genuine difference in a child’s life.
Located within a friendly community in Peterlee, the school provides a highly supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to build confidence, independence and social skills. Staff are welcoming, well-trained, and committed to helping every child thrive. The school is easily accessible, with convenient transport links and onsite parking.
What you will be doing:
8. Working 1:1 or with small groups of children with diverse SEND needs
9. Supporting pupils across a range of year groups, depending on their individual needs
10. Helping children regulate emotions, build confidence and remain engaged in learning
11. Assisting with communication strategies, sensory regulation, and personalised learning activities
12. Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, therapists and behaviour specialists
13. Supporting personal development, social skills and fine/gross motor skills
14. Creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels included and valued
Core hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm
About you:
15. A psychology graduate or graduate in a related field (OT, SEND, education, child development)
16. Passionate about working with children with additional needs
17. Patient, resilient and empathetic, with a warm and encouraging approach
18. Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships
19. Willing to learn, take initiative and adapt your approach to different pupils
20. Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)
Why Psychology Graduates Love Working With Protocol Education:
21. Excellent placements that support career routes into educational psychology, clinical psychology, SEN teaching, therapy and mental health roles
22. Free CPD including behaviour training, autism awareness, de-escalation strategies and safeguarding
23. Guaranteed work schemes and competitive daily pay
24. Dedicated consultant who understands the goals of psychology graduates
25. Opportunities across mainstream and specialist SEND environments
26. A well-respected agency focused on your long-term development
Ready to gain the classroom experience psychology graduates need? Apply today and start making a real difference in the lives of children with SEND.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake thorough checks in line with DfE statutory guidance, including an online search for shortlisted candidates. Free safeguarding and Prevent Duty training provided for all workers.
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 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.