SEN Teaching Assistant

SEN Nursery Teaching Assistant – Bury

We are seeking a compassionate, adaptable and dedicated SEN Nursery Teaching Assistant to join a specialist early years setting.
In this role, you will support young children with a range of special educational needs, helping them access play-based learning, develop communication and social skills, and build confidence in a nurturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning and delivery of differentiated, child-centred activities tailored to individual developmental and SEN profiles.
• Build warm, trusting relationships that promote engagement, emotional regulation and positive behaviour.
• Provide 1:1 and small-group support, adapting approaches to meet diverse needs such as communication delays, sensory needs, ASD, global developmental delay, or physical difficulties.
• Work collaboratively with SENCOs, therapists, teachers and other support staff to maintain a consistent, safe and supportive environment.
• Assist in developing and implementing EHCP targets, individual support plans and early years outcomes.
• Encourage independence, communication and social interaction through structured play and routine-based learning.
• Support children with personal care, feeding routines and sensory strategies as required.
• Maintain accurate observations, notes and safeguarding records in line with EYFS and SEN guidance.

Essential Requirements

• Experience working with young children, ideally within SEN, early years, complex needs or specialist provision.
• A patient, calm and empathetic approach to meeting a variety of developmental and emotional needs.
• Full availability Monday–Friday during nursery operating hours.
• Understanding of safeguarding, inclusive practice and the importance of consistency and routine.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred but Not Essential

• Experience supporting children with autism, communication needs, sensory needs or physical/medical needs.
• Knowledge of EYFS, early intervention strategies and play-based developmental support.
• Ability to adapt communication methods (visuals, Makaton, sensory approaches, modelling, etc.).
• Confidence contributing to observations, learning journals and SEN support documentation.

Vetting & Compliance

This position requires standard safer recruitment checks, including:

• Two years of employment references.
• Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service (help acquiring is provided).
• Overseas Police checks if applicant has lived abroad in the last 5 years.

Please note: Due to the nature of the role, applications from outside the UK cannot be considered.

How to Apply

If you feel you are a strong match for this role, please apply with an up-to-date CV.
A member of the team will be in touch regarding the next steps.

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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