Reception 1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Blackbrook, St Helens
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday
Contract: Long-term until July 2027
Start: ASAP
Pay: £14.25 - £16.10 per hour via PAYE

Teaching Personnel is recruiting an experienced 1:1 SEND Teaching Assistant to support a child in Reception at a welcoming Catholic primary school in St Helens.

The school is looking for someone calm, nurturing and dependable who can build trust with the pupil and provide consistent support throughout the school day.

This is not simply an extra pair of hands in the classroom. You will become an important part of the pupil’s daily routine, helping them feel secure, access learning and develop confidence and independence.

What will the role involve?

Working closely with the class teacher, SENCO and wider EYFS team, you will:

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support throughout the school day
• Help the pupil access Reception activities and continuous provision
• Support communication, interaction and engagement
• Use visual resources and clear, manageable instructions
• Help with classroom routines and transitions
• Support emotional regulation where required
• Encourage play, social interaction and positive relationships

Who would suit this role?

We would particularly like to hear from applicants with experience in:

• 1:1 SEND support
• EYFS, Reception or nursery settings
• Autism and communication needs
• ADHD or emotional regulation
• Speech, language and communication needs
• Complex needs
• Supporting children through consistent routines and visual strategies

You may have gained this experience in a mainstream school, specialist provision, nursery, care setting or children’s support service.

A Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification would be desirable, but relevant SEND and child-based experience will also be considered.

Most importantly, you should be:

• Patient, attentive and nurturing
• Reliable and able to commit consistently
• Confident following guidance from teachers and the SENCO
• Able to build a trusting relationship without creating dependence
• Calm when a child needs additional reassurance
• Comfortable working as part of a wider classroom team
• Committed to helping every child feel included

About the school

The position is based within a well-established Catholic primary school and nursery in St Helens, educating children from ages three to eleven. The school promotes a warm, family-style atmosphere and places a strong emphasis on care, respect, teamwork, independence and helping each pupil reach their potential.

The school is proud of the nurture it provides and aims to create a safe, happy environment in which children can learn, develop and build positive memories of primary school.

Location and transport

The school is situated in the Blackbrook area of St Helens, with local bus stops available around Chain Lane and Blackbrook Road.

The area is served by the 28 Blackbrook circular service, providing connections to and from St Helens town centre. Other local services operate around Chain Lane and Blackbrook Road, including the 320 route towards St Helens, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Wigan. Applicants should check the current timetable and their individual journey before applying.

The location may also suit candidates travelling from Haydock, Parr, St Helens town centre, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Liverpool and nearby areas.

What Teaching Personnel offers

• A consistent, long-term position within one school
• Weekly pay through PAYE
• Support throughout your placement
• Access to SEND and EYFS-focused CPD
• Opportunities to develop your school-based experience
• A straightforward registration and compliance process

Apply today

If you are an experienced SEND TA who would enjoy becoming a consistent and trusted adult for a child in Reception, please apply with your current CV.

Your application should briefly outline:

• Your experience supporting children with SEND
• Any 1:1 experience
• Your EYFS, Reception or nursery experience
• Your availability to start
• Your ability to travel reliably to Blackbrook

Suitable candidates will be contacted by Emily at Teaching Personnel to discuss the pupil, school and next steps in more detail.

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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