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SEN Learning Support Assistant

  1. Special Needs
  2. Hampshire
Date posted : 17/08/26
  1. Full Time
£14.25 - 14.25 per hour

Job description

Teaching Assistant

Make a Difference Every Day

Are you caring, patient and passionate about helping young people thrive?

We are looking for enthusiastic and compassionate Teaching Assistants to join our dedicated team and play an important role in supporting children and young people to learn, grow and achieve their potential.

This is an opportunity to join a specialist educational setting where relationships matter, every pupil is known as an individual, and the right support can make a lasting difference.

You do not need to have worked in a specialist school before. If you have the right attitude, a genuine commitment to young people and a willingness to learn, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will be an important part of our multidisciplinary team, working closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral staff throughout the school day.

You will help pupils access their learning, build confidence and independence, develop positive relationships and experience success in school. You will be supported by experienced colleagues and given opportunities to develop your own skills and knowledge through training and professional development.

No two days are the same. The role is varied, hands-on and highly rewarding, with the opportunity to see the difference your support makes every day.

Our Pupils

You will support children and young people aged 10 to 17 years with a range of special educational needs, including:

  • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

  • Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Many of our pupils have experienced challenges in previous educational settings. They benefit from a calm, structured and nurturing environment where strong relationships, emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging are at the heart of learning.

Our approach is relationship-centred and focused on helping every young person recognise their strengths, develop resilience and become increasingly confident and independent.

A Supportive Learning Environment

Our classes are deliberately small, typically with 4 to 8 pupils, allowing us to provide highly personalised support and really get to know each young person.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work alongside experienced teachers to create a positive and engaging learning environment. You will have the opportunity to work with individual pupils and small groups, adapting your approach to meet different needs and celebrating progress along the way.

What You Will Do

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Helping pupils settle positively into the school day and creating a calm, welcoming learning environment.

  • Supporting teachers to deliver engaging and differentiated lessons across a broad and balanced curriculum.

  • Providing one-to-one and small-group support based on individual pupil needs.

  • Encouraging pupils to develop their communication, confidence, independence and social skills.

  • Supporting pupils with emotional regulation and behaviour using agreed strategies and positive approaches.

  • Supervising pupils during break and lunchtime and encouraging positive social interaction.

  • Working closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral colleagues to provide consistent and effective support.

  • Observing pupils and contributing to discussions and records around their progress and development.

  • Helping to maintain a safe, inclusive and supportive environment throughout the school day.

Most importantly, you will build positive relationships with pupils and help them feel understood, supported and able to succeed.

What We Are Looking For

You may already have experience working with children or young people, or you may be looking for an opportunity to develop your career in education.

We are looking for someone who is:

  • Caring, patient and resilient.

  • Warm, approachable and able to build positive relationships.

  • A confident communicator and good listener.

  • Able to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

  • Flexible and able to respond calmly to changing circumstances.

  • Committed to helping children and young people with additional needs reach their potential.

  • Professional and reliable, with a positive attitude.

  • Open to learning and keen to develop their skills.

Previous experience in education, care, youth work, residential settings or health services would be an advantage, but it is not essential.

We welcome applications from people with transferable skills and life experience who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting young people.

What We Offer

Joining our team means becoming part of a supportive and experienced community where your development matters.

We offer:

  • A comprehensive induction programme to help you settle into your role.

  • Ongoing specialist training and professional development.

  • Opportunities to develop your career within specialist education.

  • A supportive, collaborative and experienced staff team.

  • The opportunity to work closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals.

  • A varied and rewarding role where you can see the impact of your work.

  • The chance to make a genuine, positive difference to the lives of children and young people.

Why Join Us?

Working as a Teaching Assistant in a specialist setting can be incredibly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to celebrate the small steps as well as the big milestones — from a pupil becoming more confident in the classroom to developing greater independence or discovering a new strength.

You will be part of a team that believes every young person has potential and that the right relationships and support can help them achieve it.

If you are looking for a role where what you do really matters, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Additional Information

Due to the school's rural location and limited public transport, access to your own transport is essential to ensure reliable travel to and from the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and successful completion of safer recruitment checks.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about supporting children and young people and would like to be part of a caring, collaborative and specialist educational environment, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your current CV. If you are shortlisted, a member of our recruitment team will contact you to discuss the next stage of the selection process.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

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