Early Years Special Needs Support

Teaching Assistant – Early Years Special Needs Support
Location: Bury – Primary SEN School
Start Date: September 2025
Type: Full-time and Flexible Options Available

Are you warm, patient, and passionate about helping young children with additional needs thrive in their earliest years of education? We are looking for individuals to work 1:1 with a child with complex needs, including non-verbal autism, in an EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) class within a specialist primary SEN setting in Bolton.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to support a young child’s development through play, sensory exploration, and consistent, nurturing care.

What a Typical Day Might Look Like

Morning Welcome and Settling In: You’ll greet your child and support them through the transition from home to school using visual timetables, familiar routines and calm, reassuring interactions.

Child-Led and Structured Play: You’ll help facilitate learning through carefully planned play activities that are tailored to the child’s interests and needs. These may focus on communication, sensory integration, early language, or motor development.

Communication Support: Many children in our setting are non-verbal or have limited communication. You’ll use tools such as PECS, Makaton, visual supports, or AAC devices to help your child express their needs and feelings.

Sensory Regulation: You’ll support your child in managing sensory input throughout the day, using movement breaks, access to sensory equipment, or calm spaces when needed.

Personal Care: You may assist with toileting, changing, feeding or other aspects of personal care, always delivered with dignity and in line with the child’s individual care plan.

Lunchtime and Outdoor Play: You’ll provide supervision and support during less structured times, helping your child develop independence, social awareness and regulation.

Afternoon Activities and Wind Down: As the day comes to a close, you’ll help your child engage in calming activities, reflect on the day, and prepare for a smooth transition home.

Key Aspects of the Role

1:1 Support – You’ll be a consistent adult for one child throughout the day, offering reassurance, encouragement and clear boundaries to help them feel safe and secure.

Early Development Focus – You'll support your child in foundational areas like attention, play skills, self-care and early communication, guided by the EYFS framework and specialist advice.

Team Collaboration – You’ll work closely with teachers, therapists, and families to follow routines, implement strategies, and track small but meaningful progress.

Adaptability – Every day will be different. You’ll need to respond calmly and flexibly to changes in mood, energy and behaviour.

Who We’re Looking For

This role does not require formal qualifications. We welcome applications from anyone with experience supporting young children or individuals with additional needs.

You might be:

• An early years practitioner or nursery worker

• A parent or carer with relevant personal experience

• A psychology, education or health graduate

• A support worker or carer from another setting

• Someone who is patient, creative and passionate about early childhood development

What You’ll Get

• Full-time and part-time/flexible roles available

• Specialist training and ongoing support

• A supportive, child-centred environment

• The opportunity to make a lifelong difference in a child’s development

Once you apply, a member of our team will contact you to learn more about your experience and discuss how you could support a young learner with complex needs in a meaningful way.

Help a young child feel safe, seen and supported from their very first steps in education.

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.
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