Complex Needs Teacher

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Job Title:  Complex Needs Teacher
Location:  Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:      Up to £41,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata) + Travel allowance
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Do you believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face? Are you a creative, resilient and compassionate teacher who thrives on making a genuine difference?

We're looking for an exceptional Complex Needs Teacher to join our dedicated team, delivering personalised, engaging and meaningful learning experiences for pupils with complex Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is more than a teaching role—it's an opportunity to transform lives. You'll work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team to create a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment where every pupil is encouraged to build confidence, develop independence and celebrate success.

Whether you're already experienced in specialist education or you're an outstanding teacher looking to move into SEN, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

• Plan and deliver creative, personalised and engaging lessons that inspire every learner to achieve their potential.
• Create a calm, inclusive and nurturing classroom where pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.
• Adapt teaching to meet a wide range of communication, learning and emotional needs using differentiated approaches and experiential learning.
• Assess, monitor and celebrate pupil progress through Evidence for Learning and other assessment tools.
• Work as a Form Tutor, leading Annual Review and EHCP meetings, building strong relationships with families and external professionals.
• Lead and support a team of Teaching Assistants, ensuring therapeutic strategies and personalised learning plans are implemented consistently.
• Promote positive behaviour through proactive, therapeutic and restorative approaches.
• Work collaboratively with therapists, parents, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.

What you will bring

• QTS Required
• Believes every child can achieve and has high aspirations for all learners.
• Is creative, adaptable and able to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Can confidently support pupils with complex learning needs, communication differences and behaviours that challenge.
• Has excellent classroom management skills and uses positive behaviour support strategies.
• Driving licence required 

Previous experience within a specialist SEN setting is desirable but not essential. If you have outstanding teaching skills, a willingness to learn and a genuine passion for helping young people thrive, we'll support you every step of the way.

About Us

Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.

Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.

At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.

Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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