SEN 1:1 Teaching Assistant

⭐ SEN 1:1 Teaching Assistant – Full-Time, Long-Term ⭐

Location:
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Full-time, long-term
Hours: Monday–Friday, term time only
Pay: £13.75–£14.50 per hour, dependent on experience and qualifications
This rate will increase in April in line with cost of living adjustments.

Are you a compassionate, resilient and relationship‑driven Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding long-term role?
Do you have the specialist skills needed to support children with complex backgrounds, diagnosed SEN, SEMH needs, or PDA profiles?

We are seeking a highly skilled 1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant to join a supportive and nurturing primary school. This is a vital long-term position supporting children who may have:

• Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Complex trauma or challenging home circumstances
• Possible Looked After Child (LAC) status
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) characteristics
• Communication and interaction needs, including non-verbal profiles

About the Role

As a 1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Provide tailored, relationship‑based support for a child with complex needs
• Implement trauma‑informed and attachment‑aware strategies
• Support children with communication difficulties, including non-verbal learners
• Use SEN-specific strategies to manage emotional regulation and sensory needs
• Engage PDA learners through low‑demand, child‑led approaches
• Work collaboratively with the SENCO, teaching team, pastoral staff and external agencies
• Build trust, consistency and a stable relationship to enable progress

Highly Desirable Qualifications & Training

We strongly encourage applications from candidates with any of the following:

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

Experience delivering emotional literacy interventions, supporting anxiety, self‑esteem and emotional regulation.

Speech & Language Support (SALT)

Including training or experience in:

• Speech and language intervention
• PECS, Makaton, visuals or alternative communication systems
• Supporting communication delay or language processing needs

Non-Verbal or Communication-Based Support

Experience working with pupils who are:

• Non-verbal
• Using AAC, visual timetables or sensory communication tools
• Selectively mute or have significant communication barriers

Additional SEN/SEMH Training

Such as:

• Team Teach / de-escalation
• Trauma-informed practice
• Autism awareness & PDA strategies
• Attachment and ACEs training

Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience supporting SEN, SEMH, trauma or behavioural needs
• Emotional intelligence, patience and resilience
• Strong de‑escalation and behaviour support ability
• A relationship-centred, consistent approach
• Creativity in engaging hard‑to‑reach pupils
• Understanding of PDA and child-led, low-demand methods
• A genuine passion for helping vulnerable children thrive

What We Offer

• A long-term, stable school placement
• Ongoing support from an experienced SENCO and pastoral team
• Competitive hourly pay with an April cost‑of‑living increase
• Access to high‑quality CPD including ELSA, SALT workshops, SEMH training, Team Teach and more
• A dedicated consultant (Morgan!) supporting you throughout

How to Apply

If you are committed, nurturing and ready to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply with a full and up-to-date CV.
Applications submitted without a CV will not be considered.

For any additional questions before applying, please email:
morgan.sharkey@teachingpersonnel.com