Teaching Assistant

GSL Education are seeking enthusiastic Teaching Assistants, SEN Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), Autism Support Workers, Behaviour Mentors, and School Support Workers to join a welcoming SEN school in Southend-on-Sea. This is an excellent opportunity to support children and young people with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Autism (ASC), ADHD, SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), and other complex learning needs.

You will work alongside experienced SEN Teachers, Teaching Assistants, SENCOs, Therapists, Pastoral Teams, and the wider multidisciplinary team to help pupils access learning, build confidence, develop communication skills, improve independence, and achieve their individual EHCP outcomes.

If you are an experienced Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Behaviour Mentor, Learning Mentor, Support Worker, Residential Children's Support Worker, Care Worker, Youth Worker, Sports Coach, Psychology Graduate, Criminology Graduate, Education Graduate, or an aspiring SEN Teacher, we would love to hear from you.

You will have opportunities for professional development and will support pupils in a variety of settings, including:

• Classroom support across a broad and engaging curriculum
• Targeted 1:1 and small group interventions
• Communication, sensory, and life skills activities
• Behaviour support and emotional regulation strategies
• Outdoor learning, enrichment activities, educational visits, and therapeutic interventions

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting pupils with additional needs. You will work closely with Teachers, SENCOs, Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Behaviour Mentors, and other professionals to deliver personalised support that enables every pupil to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Position: Teaching Assistant (1:1 / Small Group)
Location: Southend-on-Sea
Salary Scale: £92.59–£120 per day
Contract Type: Full-time

• Provide 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEND and complex learning needs
• Support pupils with Autism (ASC), ADHD, SEMH, MLD, SLD, PMLD, and communication needs
• Assist with implementing EHCPs, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and personalised learning strategies
• Work collaboratively with SEN Teachers, SENCOs, Therapists, and the wider school team
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, communication, confidence, independence, and engagement
• Monitor pupil progress and provide feedback to teaching staff
• Support pupils during lessons, sensory breaks, transitions, lunchtime, and enrichment activities
• Help create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and positive specialist learning environment

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build positive relationships with children and young people with SEND
• Patience, resilience, empathy, and adaptability
• A genuine passion for supporting pupils with Autism, SEND, SEMH, or complex additional needs
• A proactive approach and willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Previous experience in education, SEN, care, residential care, youth work, coaching, mentoring, or support work is desirable but not essential

• Competitive daily pay rates of £92.59–£120 per day
• A supportive and collaborative specialist SEN school environment
• Ongoing CPD, SEND training, Autism training, safeguarding training, and career progression opportunities
• Excellent experience for careers in SEN Teaching, Educational Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Counselling, Behaviour Support, Pastoral Care, and Specialist Education

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with additional needs. You will help pupils overcome barriers to learning, develop confidence, improve communication, build independence, and achieve their full academic, social, and personal potential within a rewarding specialist SEN setting.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. Successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS on the Update Service.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'Apply Now' to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch within 24 hours.