Graduate SEN Teaching Assistant

SEN Teaching Assistant – Secondary

Location: Oldham
Agency: Teaching Personnel
Start Date: ASAP

Teaching Personnel is currently recruiting a confident, proactive, and resilient graduate to work as a Teaching Assistant in a supportive Special Educational Needs (SEN) secondary school in Oldham. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a long-term career in education, psychology, SEN, or child development.

The school caters for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), supporting a wide range of needs including Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD), Autism, and Sensory Processing Difficulties, alongside associated social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. The school prioritises individualised learning through structured, tailored support.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping young people thrive and supporting their academic progress, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.

About the Role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, support staff, and families to deliver consistent, nurturing, and personalised support.

You will help create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment, enabling pupils to access education, develop communication skills, and progress at their own pace.

The role requires an understanding that behaviour often reflects underlying needs. You will use positive behaviour support strategies and follow a trauma-informed approach, ensuring consistency, emotional regulation, and dignity for every pupil.

Key Responsibilities

• Support students with PMLD, CLDD, Autism, sensory needs, and behavioural challenges in line with their EHCPs
• Deliver 1:1 and small group support, adapting learning to meet individual sensory, emotional, cognitive, and communication needs
• Use tools such as PECS, visual timetables, communication aids, and sensory strategies to promote engagement
• Identify triggers and early signs of dysregulation, responding effectively using de-escalation techniques and positive behaviour strategies
• Support pupils during both calm and challenging moments, ensuring safety, consistency, and respect
• Assist in preparing and maintaining an accessible, structured, and stimulating classroom environment
• Promote independence, confidence, resilience, and communication skills through positive relationships
• Provide personal care and mobility support when required

Requirements

Essential:

• Confident, proactive, and able to take initiative
• Patient, adaptable, and emotionally resilient
• Strong understanding of behaviour as a form of communication
• Ability to remain calm and respond effectively in challenging situations
• Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team, following care plans and behaviour strategies
• Willingness to support with personal care needs
• Available full-time and committed to a long-term role

Desirable:

• Experience working with PMLD, CLDD, Autism, sensory needs, or complex behaviours
• Team Teach training (or willingness to complete training)
• Knowledge of de-escalation techniques, positive behaviour support, or trauma-informed practice

What Teaching Personnel Offer

• Long-term, full-time opportunities within a variety of schools
• Support from a specialist SEN recruitment team
• Competitive weekly pay
• Ongoing training and professional development, including behaviour management and Team Teach
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives

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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