Job description
The Harmony Trust
Hours: Hours per week, 39 weeks per annum
Contract type: Permanent Appointment
Development Opportunity
The Board of Trustees wish to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual as a Specialist SEND Teaching Assistant to become part of our Harmony Trust Development Team.
We are looking for a candidate who has experience and expertise in the following:
• SEMH and supporting those pupils who may dysregulate as a result of their needs
• Understanding of Autism and how to support pupils with Autism to thrive
The post holder will be deployed initially to support Alvaston Juniors Academy and would be expected to support across the portfolio of all academies within the Derby hub.
As a Trust we are working to our commitment within the strategic plan to develop specialist provision through the Inclusion Hub model. This is to enable an integrated offer for those children who need it most and to provide families with greater choice for their child’s education.
The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to the inclusion of every child regardless of their need or circumstance. They will take a lead role in provision under the guidance and supervision of the Hub teacher or Specialist Practitioner. They will coach and mentor others within the academies to build capacity in our SEND workforce and advise on adaptations of curriculum to meet the needs of the pupil. They will support children to meet their intended outcomes and support leaders, teachers and teaching assistants with the strategies needed to effectively support key pupils. The full requirements of the role are included within the attached Job Description.
The successful candidate will:
• Have experience of working with children in an educational setting who have complex individual SEND needs in a Teaching Assistant capacity or equivalent.
• Have an NVQ3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualification or experience
• Have specialist training or experience in Social, emotional and mental health; and with knowledge and experience of SEND needs including Communication and interaction; Cognition and learning; Sensory and/or physical.
• Have knowledge and experience working with pupils with Autism.
• Have the ability to understand and develop the appropriate strategies and interventions that enable children to meet their EHC outcomes or personal targets.
• Have the ability to provide coaching and development to staff.
• Have a good understanding of safeguarding issues
• Work in partnership with teaching staff and other professionals as well as agencies, voluntary groups and service providers.
The Harmony Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all our staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS with barred list and pre-employment checks.
Full details of the Trust’s recruitment and selection processes can be found in our Safer Recruitment policy:
Applications are to be made via our website -
Closing date: 11:59pm 30th April 2026