Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Location: Poole
Hours: 35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
Salary: £27,694 - £30,024 FTE

Make a Meaningful Difference in a Specialist Education Setting

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join a specialist primary provision supporting children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The school caters for pupils whose primary needs are associated with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping children overcome barriers to learning and is committed to supporting both their academic progress and personal development within a nurturing and structured environment.

About the Role

Working closely with teaching staff and the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in supporting pupils with a range of complex needs. You will help create a positive, engaging and safe learning environment where children feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

The position offers a varied and rewarding workload, including delivering planned learning activities, leading targeted interventions, supporting emotional wellbeing and helping pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.

You will also be responsible for leading lessons in the absence of a teacher and providing PPA cover across the school, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their skills and experience within education.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver learning activities and targeted interventions to individuals and small groups.

• Support pupils with Autism and SEMH needs to engage positively with learning.

• Promote emotional regulation, wellbeing and positive behaviour strategies.

• Lead whole-class learning during teacher absence.

• Provide PPA cover where required.

• Support the development of social skills, independence and positive learning behaviours.

• Work collaboratively with teachers, leaders and support staff to meet individual pupil needs.

• Contribute to a safe, structured and inclusive learning environment.

About You

The successful candidate will be:

• Passionate about supporting children with additional needs, particularly Autism and SEMH.

• Calm, patient and resilient when working with vulnerable learners.

• Skilled at building positive and trusting relationships with pupils.

• Flexible and creative in adapting learning to meet individual needs.

• A strong communicator who works effectively as part of a team.

• Committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for every child.

This role would particularly suit:

• An experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant.

• An aspiring teacher seeking valuable classroom experience.

• Teaching Assistants with specialist skills or experience in areas such as PE, Sports Coaching, Music, Art, Creative Arts or Outdoor Learning.

What the School Offers

This is an opportunity to join a supportive specialist setting where staff are committed to helping every pupil feel safe, understood and successful. The role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children with complex needs while further developing your own professional skills and leadership experience.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the school environment and experience the setting first-hand through an informal visit or trial session, providing an opportunity to gain a genuine insight into the role and determine whether it is the right fit.

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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