Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant

SEN Pastoral Support Worker – Oldham

Start: April 2026
Salary: Competitive and based on experience
Employer: Teaching Personnel

Are you passionate about supporting young people with additional needs and helping them develop confidence, resilience, and emotional wellbeing? Teaching Personnel is seeking a committed SEN Pastoral Support Worker to join a large specialist setting in Oldham. The provision supports pupils aged 11–19 with a variety of complex needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Moderate to Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD)
• Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Communication and interaction difficulties
• Physical disabilities and sensory needs

This is a nurturing and forward-thinking environment where pastoral care is central to helping young people thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Your Responsibilities

As an SEN Pastoral Support Worker, you will play a vital role in building strong, supportive relationships with pupils. Your duties will include:

• Providing 1:1 and group pastoral support to pupils who may struggle with emotional regulation, behaviour, confidence, or social skills.
• Helping students develop strategies to manage their feelings, behaviour, and personal challenges.
• Supporting pupils around attendance, engagement, and emotional wellbeing.
• Assisting with de-escalation, restorative conversations, and positive behaviour support.
• Creating a safe, trusting environment where pupils feel listened to and valued.
• Encouraging independence, resilience, and positive relationships among students.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you should have:

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH, or challenging behaviours (school, youth work, care, or community backgrounds all considered).
• A calm, patient, and nurturing approach to supporting vulnerable learners.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Confidence in managing behaviours and supporting emotional regulation.
• A willingness to work flexibly and adapt to individual pupil needs.
• An enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to obtain one).
• A genuine passion for making a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Why Work with Teaching Personnel?

Working with Teaching Personnel gives you access to:

• A dedicated consultant who supports you throughout your placement and career development.
• Free and subsidised CPD, to support with Professional Growth.
• A flexible working pattern to suit your lifestyle.
• A smooth, supportive registration process with ongoing career progression opportunities.
• Roles in welcoming, well-resourced specialist settings across Greater Manchester.

If you’re passionate about helping young people with additional needs succeed and want to develop your career in pastoral or SEND support, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Teaching Personnel for more information!

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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