Learning Support Assistants

Autism Support Assistant – Make a Real Difference, Every Single Day

Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Start date: ASAP or January 2026
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £23,174 per annum (including full holiday pay)

 Travel note: Due to the rural location and limited public transport, access to a car is essential.

Are you ready for a role that’s more than just a job — one where your presence, patience, and encouragement genuinely change lives?

We’re working alongside a forward-thinking specialist SEN school that supports autistic young people to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the school continues to grow, they’re looking for an Autism Support Assistant to join their dedicated team and help shape the next chapter for their students.

This is a setting where individuality is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and success is defined far beyond exam results.

✨ About the school environment

This specialist provision offers a calm, nurturing, and highly personalised learning environment for students with autism. Learning is carefully adapted to suit each individual, combining academic subjects with creative, practical, and therapeutic approaches.

Many students show exceptional strengths in areas such as Art, Music, Science, Technology, and Maths, and the school places real value on helping them explore and develop these talents. Small class sizes, excellent facilities, and a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing create a place where both students and staff can flourish.

Your role as an Autism Support Assistant

As an Autism Support Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in helping students build confidence, independence, and self-belief — sometimes through big milestones, often through quiet, powerful moments of progress.

Your day-to-day may include:

• Supporting students in the classroom with learning, focus, and engagement

• Helping young people manage emotions, routines, and transitions

• Encouraging communication, independence, and social development

• Working closely with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff

• Being a consistent, trusted adult who students feel safe with

Some days you’ll celebrate small wins that mean everything. Other days, you’ll help a young person realise they’re capable of far more than they ever imagined.

This role could be perfect for you if you:

• Bring positivity, reliability, and a genuine can-do attitude

• Are calm, patient, and empathetic, even in challenging moments

• Enjoy working in dynamic, creative, and people-centred environments

• Have experience in education, childcare, youth work, coaching, care, or a related field   *Please do apply if you believe you have the right character/interpersonal skills!*

• Have studied psychology, education, SEN, social sciences, or similar — and want to put that knowledge into meaningful practice

• Are looking for a long-term, purposeful career, not just a stepping stone

No two students are the same — and neither are the days. If you enjoy variety and value human connection, you’ll thrive here.

What’s on offer:

• Full-time, permanent position with a salary of £23,174 (including paid school holidays!)

• A well-established, highly regarded SEN school with fantastic facilities

• Ongoing training and genuine career development opportunities

• A warm, welcoming staff team who truly support one another

• Dedicated 1:1 guidance and support from your Teaching Personnel consultant

• A role where your impact is visible, meaningful, and lasting

Please apply now with your up to date CV to confirm your interest and secure a School tour & Interview!

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.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.