SEN Teaching Assistant

SEN Teaching Assistant (Sports Coach Background Preferred)

Are you a passionate and resilient Teaching Assistant with a sporting background looking to make a real difference in the lives of young people? We are working with a specialist secondary provision in Burnley seeking a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to support students aged 11-19 with a range of additional needs, including Autism, Moderate Learning Difficulties, Communication and Interaction needs, and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges.

This role would particularly suit candidates with experience in sports coaching, mentoring, youth work, support work, or other roles where building positive relationships and promoting engagement has been key.

The Role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support pupils both in class and through targeted interventions.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students who may have experienced barriers to education.
• Use a calm, patient and consistent approach to support behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Encourage participation, confidence and independence through structured activities.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and support staff to help pupils achieve their individual goals.
• Adapt support strategies to meet a range of learning and communication needs.
• Support pupils during practical, outdoor and enrichment activities.

What We're Looking For

• Experience working with children or young people in any capacity.
• Sports coaching, youth work, care, mentoring or SEN experience is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A positive role model who can inspire, motivate and engage students.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
• A genuine passion for supporting young people with additional needs.

Why This Role?

• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on vulnerable young people's lives.
• Work within a supportive and experienced SEN team.
• Access to excellent training and professional development.
• Varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same.
• Ideal stepping stone for those considering careers in teaching, psychology, youth work, social work or therapeutic support.

If you're a proactive, energetic individual who can use your sporting or mentoring experience to engage and support young people with additional needs, we'd love to hear from you.