SEND Teaching Assistant (Autism and Complex Needs)
Aspire People
Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday, Term Time Only
Pay: Up to £120 per day (dependent on experience)
Aspire People is recruiting for a specialist SEN school in Oldham seeking a dedicated SEND Teaching Assistant to support pupils with autism and complex additional needs. This is a full-time opportunity within a highly supportive setting that provides tailored education and therapeutic support for children and young people with a diverse range of learning, communication and sensory needs.
The school supports pupils with varying presentations of autism, including those who are non-verbal, have significant communication differences, sensory processing needs and complex learning difficulties. Many pupils benefit from structured routines, visual support strategies and consistent adult guidance throughout the school day.
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will work alongside teachers, therapists and other support staff to help pupils access a personalised curriculum designed around their individual EHCP outcomes. Support may be delivered on a 1:1 basis or within small classes with high staff-to-pupil ratios.
The successful candidate will help pupils develop communication skills, emotional regulation, independence and engagement with learning. Some pupils may display behaviours linked to anxiety, communication frustrations or sensory needs, requiring a calm, patient and consistent approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Support pupils with autism and complex needs throughout the school day
- Deliver targeted support both individually and within small groups
- Implement EHCP targets, communication strategies and behaviour support plans
- Use visual timetables, PECS, Makaton or other communication approaches where appropriate
- Support pupils with sensory regulation and structured routines
- Help pupils develop social, emotional and independence skills
- Promote positive behaviour and engagement with learning activities
- Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and families
- Contribute to a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment
The ideal candidate will have:
- Previous experience supporting pupils with autism and SEND
- A strong understanding of complex communication and sensory needs
- Experience working with pupils who require highly personalised support
- Confidence managing challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with additional needs
Essential Requirements
- Experience supporting children or young people with autism
- Team Teach training or comparable de-escalation and positive handling training
- Full-time availability, Monday to Friday
- Fluent spoken and written English
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Willingness to complete safeguarding and pre-employment checks
Desirable Experience
- Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with backgrounds in:
- Specialist SEN schools
- Autism provisions
- Complex needs settings
- Residential care
- Support work
- Psychology or SEND-related disciplines
- Healthcare environments supporting individuals with additional needs
What Aspire People Offers
- Competitive daily rates of up to £120 per day
- A long-term opportunity within a specialist SEN school
- Ongoing support from a dedicated education consultant
- Access to SEND-focused training and development
- Opportunities to secure permanent roles within specialist education
If you have experience supporting pupils with autism and complex needs and are looking for a rewarding role within a specialist SEN school in Oldham, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and a member of the Aspire People team will be in touch to discuss this opportunity further.
Aspire People Limited provides services as an Education Agency and an Education Employment Business. Aspire People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects every candidate to share this commitment. Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.
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