Additional Learning Needs Practitioner

Additional Learning Needs Practitioner

Based in Swansea

£14.25 per hour | Monday–Friday | 8:30am–3:30pm

Are you passionate about supporting children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?

Do you have experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals — or transferable skills from care, support, education, health, behaviour or other settings?

Are you confident, patient and resilient enough to work with pupils whose needs can range from moderate to complex?

If so, we want to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to children's lives while developing your own skills and experience through high-quality CPD and specialist training.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As an ALN Teaching Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting pupils to feel safe, included, confident and ready to learn.

You will work alongside teachers and the wider school team to support pupils with their learning, communication, behaviour, emotional regulation, independence and wellbeing.

The role will involve working with pupils who may have moderate to complex additional needs, so this is an ideal opportunity for someone who is confident working in a challenging but incredibly rewarding environment.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting pupils with their day-to-day learning and studies.
• Providing 1:1 and small-group support.
• Supporting pupils with moderate to complex ALN.
• Helping pupils overcome barriers to learning.
• Supporting communication and interaction.
• Helping pupils develop independence and confidence.
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour.
• Delivering and supporting targeted interventions.
• Helping pupils access classroom activities and the wider curriculum.
• Building trusting, positive relationships with pupils.
• Supporting pupils who may experience anxiety, distress or challenging behaviour.
• Working closely with teachers, ALN staff and other professionals.
• Following individual support strategies and school procedures.
• Supporting pupils during lessons, break times, lunchtimes and wider school activities.

EXPERIENCE WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are interested in candidates who have direct experience of ALN/SEN or strong transferable experience.

You may already have worked as a:

• Teaching Assistant
• Support Worker
• Childcare Practitioner
• Nursery Practitioner
• Youth Worker
• Family Support Worker
• Health or Social Care Worker
• Personal Assistant
• Play Worker
• Sports Coach or Activity Leader with experience supporting children with additional needs

You do not have to have worked in a school before.

We recognise that excellent support staff come from many different backgrounds.

What matters is that you have the skills, experience, resilience and attitude to work effectively with pupils who may have significant additional needs.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

We would particularly welcome applications from people who have experience:

• Supporting someone with autism or other neurodivergent needs.
• Working with communication difficulties.
• Supporting people who display challenging or distressed behaviour.
• Helping individuals regulate their emotions.
• Providing personal care or practical support.
• Working with individuals requiring a high level of supervision.
• Supporting vulnerable children, young people or adults.
• Using positive behaviour support strategies.
• Following individual support plans or care plans.
• Helping individuals develop independence and life skills.

WORKING WITH MODERATE TO COMPLEX NEEDS

This role involves supporting pupils who may require significant levels of individual support.

Pupils may have needs including:

• Autism
• Communication and interaction needs
• Complex learning needs
• Social, emotional and behavioural needs
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Sensory processing needs
• Significant barriers to learning
• Additional communication needs
• High levels of anxiety
• Behaviour that may present as challenging or distressed
• Multiple or overlapping additional needs

What we do need is someone who is willing and able to learn and work with children whose needs can be complex, unpredictable and sometimes challenging.

You must be able to remain calm, consistent, patient and compassionate, even when a pupil is distressed or struggling to regulate.

CPD & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We don't expect you to know everything.

We want to invest in people who are committed to learning and developing their practice.

The successful candidate will have access to a range of CPD opportunities, including:

Autism Awareness

Develop your understanding of autism and practical approaches to supporting autistic pupils.

Behaviour Training

Develop positive strategies for supporting behaviour, emotional regulation and engagement.

Allergy Training

Gain knowledge and awareness to help support pupils with allergies and contribute to a safe school environment.

Thrive

Develop your understanding of children's emotional wellbeing and social and emotional development.

️ Team Teach

There will also be an opportunity to complete Team Teach training at a highly discounted rate.

Places are limited and therefore this opportunity will be subject to availability.

ROLE DETAILS

Position: Full-Time ALN Teaching Assistant
Location: Swansea
Pay: £14.25 per hour
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm

 MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

If you have the experience, skills or transferable background to support children with moderate to complex needs, we would love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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