Teaching Assistant in Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Location: Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Pay: £100 per day
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:00pm (5:00pm Tuesdays)
Contract: Full-time, term time only, 12-week temp-to-perm
Start: ASAP - trial days imminent

Are you working in nursery, care, healthcare, support work or another role where you provide hands-on support and looking to develop your career within education?

NextGen Teachers are looking for a caring and committed Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEND school in Burgess Hill, supporting pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working closely with people, wants to develop specialist skills and is looking for a long-term career supporting children and young people with complex needs.

The school has a highly supportive environment with small classes, a high staff-to-pupil ratio and a strong team of teachers, Teaching Assistants and specialist staff. You will work closely with experienced colleagues and receive training and support as you develop your confidence in the role.

You will be based within a PMLD class supporting primary-aged pupils, many of whom are non-verbal and may have complex physical, medical and sensory needs.

Your day will combine education, care and therapeutic support, helping pupils access learning and develop their communication, independence and confidence.

You will:

• Support primary-aged pupils with PMLD and complex SEND
• Work with non-verbal pupils and wheelchair users
• Support communication, sensory activities and individual learning
• Provide personal and intimate care where required
• Support pupils with eating and drinking, including PEG/gastrostomy feeding following training
• Assist with moving and handling following appropriate training
• Support pupils with their physical, emotional and social development
• Follow individual care and learning plans
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and specialist support staff
• Help create a calm, safe and positive classroom environment
• Celebrate pupils' progress and encourage independence wherever possible

This is a hands-on education and care role, so you must be comfortable supporting pupils with personal care and complex physical needs.

Previous school experience is not essential. Full training will be provided.

The school is particularly interested in people who have experience in roles such as:

• Nursery Practitioner / Nursery Nurse
• Care Assistant
• Healthcare Assistant
• Support Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• SEN Support Worker
• Children's Support Worker
• Personal Care Assistant
• Rehabilitation or healthcare roles
• Experience supporting people with physical or complex needs

You may already have skills in personal care, moving and handling, feeding, communication support or working with individuals who require a high level of support.

This experience can transfer extremely well into a specialist SEND school.

This isn't just an opportunity to gain school experience. The school offers a supportive environment where you can develop specialist skills and build a long-term career in SEND education.

You'll receive training and guidance from experienced staff and have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of:

• PMLD and complex SEND
• Communication and sensory support
• Personal care
• Moving and handling
• Feeding and medical needs
• Individual learning and development
• Supporting non-verbal pupils
• Specialist education and care approaches

For someone coming from nursery, care or healthcare, this can be a great next step into education. It can also provide valuable experience if you're considering a future career in teaching, SEND, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, healthcare or social care.

• £100 per day
• Full-time, Monday-Friday role
• Term-time working
• 12-week temp-to-perm opportunity
• Full training and ongoing support
• Specialist PMLD and SEND experience
• High staff-to-pupil ratio
• Supportive teachers and specialist colleagues
• Opportunities for ongoing training and CPD
• A chance to build a long-term career within specialist education
• Dedicated support from NextGen Teachers throughout your placement

If you have experience in nursery, care, healthcare, support work or personal care and would like to develop your career working with children with complex SEND, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this PMLD Teaching Assistant opportunity in Burgess Hill.

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.