SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Middleton Agency: Teaching Personnel Start Date: September 2026

Are You the Kind of Person Who Can Stay Calm When Others Can't?

Teaching Personnel are recruiting for a dedicated, resilient, and proactive SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in Middleton.

This is not a role for someone who simply wants to supervise pupils. We are looking for an individual who can take initiative, think on their feet, and confidently support young people with complex needs, challenging behaviours, and personal care requirements.

Every day presents new challenges and opportunities. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in helping pupils regulate emotions, develop independence, overcome barriers to learning, and achieve outcomes that genuinely change their lives.

If you thrive in a fast-paced specialist environment, can remain calm under pressure, and are committed to supporting vulnerable young people, we want to hear from you.

About the School

This well-established specialist secondary provision supports pupils with a range of complex needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
• Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Communication and interaction difficulties
• Sensory processing difficulties

The school provides a highly structured and nurturing environment where pupils receive personalised support to help them succeed both academically and socially.

The Role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will provide tailored support to pupils whose needs can be complex, unpredictable, and highly individual.

You will be expected to build strong professional relationships, recognise triggers, de-escalate challenging situations, and support pupils with their daily care needs while maintaining their dignity and independence.

This role requires someone who can confidently work using their own initiative, respond effectively to changing situations, and consistently provide a calm and positive presence for pupils who rely on routine, structure, and trusted adults.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality 1:1 and small group support
• Support pupils with complex SEND to access learning and achieve EHCP outcomes
• Build trusted, positive relationships with pupils who may struggle to engage with education
• Use positive behaviour support strategies to manage and de-escalate challenging behaviours
• Identify potential triggers and proactively implement strategies to support emotional regulation
• Support pupils during periods of dysregulation while maintaining a safe environment
• Provide personal care support where required, including toileting, hygiene, feeding, and mobility assistance
• Encourage independence, confidence, and social development
• Adapt learning materials and activities to meet individual needs
• Work closely with teachers, therapists, and support staff to ensure a consistent approach
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to behaviour and progress reporting
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion at all times

About You

We're looking for someone who isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and become a vital part of a pupil's journey.

Essential:

✅ Experience supporting children or young people with additional needs

✅ Confidence managing challenging behaviours in a calm, safe, and professional manner

✅ Experience supporting personal care needs or willingness to undertake training

✅ Ability to work independently and use initiative without constant direction

✅ Strong communication and relationship-building skills

✅ Resilient, patient, and emotionally intelligent approach

✅ Ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations

✅ Genuine passion for supporting young people with complex needs

Desirable:

• Experience supporting ASC, PMLD, CLDD, and SEMH
• Team Teach training or similar behaviour management training
• Experience using PECS, Makaton, visual communication systems, or AAC
• Previous work within specialist schools, alternative provisions, care settings, or support services

What We're Looking For

We want someone who understands that behaviour is communication.

Someone who can remain professional when faced with challenging situations.

Someone who can support personal care with dignity and respect.

Most importantly, we want someone who is prepared to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people who need consistency, patience, and strong role models every day.

Why Join Through Teaching Personnel?

✅ Competitive weekly pay

✅ Full-time, long-term opportunity

✅ Ongoing specialist SEND and behaviour management training

✅ Dedicated consultant support

✅ Opportunities for permanent employment

✅ Work within a highly supportive multidisciplinary team

✅ Make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable young people

Apply Today

If you have experience supporting individuals with additional needs, can confidently manage challenging behaviours, and are comfortable providing personal care support, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with Teaching Personnel and become part of a team dedicated to transforming outcomes for young people with complex needs.

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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