Autism & Learning Difficulties Support

Autism & Learning Difficulties Support Teaching Assistant 

Special Needs Support – Social Emotional Mental Health Schools & Specialist Provisions

Location: Opportunities across Salford & Bury

Contract: Flexible agency work – Day-to-day, Short-term, Long-term and Permenent Opportunities
Pay: £90+ per day (dependent on experience, role, and responsibilities), Paid weekly via PAYE

Are you someone who thrives in a role where every day is different – and every day makes a difference?
We're looking for compassionate, adaptable, and proactive individuals to join our network of Teaching Assistants supporting pupils across specialist schools in Salford and Bury. If you’re motivated by helping children overcome barriers to learning – academically, emotionally, or socially – we want to hear from you.

The Schools You'll Work In

You’ll be working across a diverse range of specialist provisions in the Salford and Bury areas, including:

• SEN Schools supporting pupils with autism, moderate to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and complex medical needs

• SEMH Provisions for children and young people facing social, emotional and mental health challenges – many of whom require patience, emotional support, and consistent boundaries

• PRUs (Pupil Referral Units) offering education to students who have been excluded from mainstream settings

• Alternative Provisions and Specialist Resource Bases attached to mainstream schools

Each setting provides a unique learning environment where creativity, empathy, and flexibility are essential.

What Will You Be Doing?

As a Teaching Assistant in these settings, your role will be to:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced trauma, anxiety, or interrupted education

• Support individual pupils or small groups with learning tasks, communication, emotional regulation, and behaviour

• Adapt your support style to match a wide range of needs – including autism, ADHD, attachment difficulties, sensory processing challenges, and more

• Work closely with teachers, therapists, and other professionals to create safe, supportive, and structured environments

• Support personal care needs or mobility, where necessary (full training provided)

• Use creativity to engage pupils in learning – whether that’s through sensory play, practical activities, or visual resources

• Stay calm, consistent, and professional – even when faced with challenging behaviour

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to have worked in schools before – we welcome experience from care, youth work, mental health, or any role where you’ve supported vulnerable children or young people.

Ideally, you will:

• Have some experience working with SEN or SEMH needs (formally or informally)

• Be confident managing behaviour and supporting emotional regulation

• Bring patience, resilience, and a sense of humour to your work

• Have strong communication and teamwork skills

• Be open to ongoing learning, reflection, and training

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an Enhanced DBS certificate

What You'll Get in Return

• Regular, flexible work that fits around your availability

• The chance to explore different school environments before committing to one setting

• Ongoing training and upskilling opportunities – including safeguarding, behaviour support, and SEN-specific strategies

• Weekly pay and competitive daily rates

• A dedicated consultant who understands the challenges and rewards of working in SEN/SEMH education

Every child deserves a champion. Could that be you?
Apply now to join our team and start making a real impact in schools across Salford and Bury.

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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