Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant

Job Description:

To support pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to access learning, participate fully in school life and make progress academically, socially and emotionally. The SEN Teaching Assistant will work under the direction of teachers and the SENCO, providing tailored support in class, small group work or 1:1 interventions.

• Classroom Support: Assist the teacher in delivering differentiated lessons, adapting resources and strategies to meet pupils’ individual needs.

• Individual Support: Provide targeted 1:1 or small group interventions to develop literacy, numeracy, social skills, or emotional regulation.

• Inclusion: Promote engagement, independence and participation of SEN pupils within lessons and wider school activities.

• Behaviour Support: Implement positive behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques and support self-regulation.

• Pastoral Care: Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils to promote wellbeing, resilience and self-confidence.

• Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, SENCO, external professionals (e.g. Speech and Language Therapists, CAMHS) and parents/carers to support pupils.

• Monitoring & Reporting: Keep accurate records of interventions, progress and incidents; provide feedback to teachers and SENCO.

• Safeguarding: Uphold safeguarding procedures, ensuring the safety and welfare of all pupils at all times.

• Additional Duties: Support lunchtime/break supervision, educational trips and enrichment activities where required.

• Experience of working with children or young people with SEN (e.g. ASD, ADHD, SEMH, speech and language needs, learning difficulties).

• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection in an educational setting.

• Ability to build positive relationships and manage challenging behaviour effectively.

• Patience, empathy, and a commitment to inclusion.

• Good communication and organisational skills.

• Minimum GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Desirable:

• Relevant qualification in SEN, learning support, or childcare (e.g. Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant, CACHE, NVQ).

• Training in behaviour management, Team Teach, or Trauma-Informed Practice.

• Experience in an Alternative Provision or specialist SEN setting.

• First Aid or Mental Health First Aid training.