SEN Teaching Assistant

There are classrooms, and then there are classrooms that change lives. This is one of the latter.

Teaching Personnel is recruiting SEN teaching assistants for an autism specialist school in Horsham ahead of the September 2026 academic year. This is a school built entirely around the needs of pupils on the autism spectrum — where the environment, the staffing and the ethos all exist to help young people feel safe, understood and genuinely supported to grow.

We are looking for people who bring more than a willingness to help. We need professionals with real experience, emotional grounding and a deep understanding of what it means to work alongside a pupil with autism every single day. If that sounds like you, September could be the start of something really special.

What you'll be doing

• Providing consistent 1:1 and small group support to pupils with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) across a range of ages, needs and learning profiles.
• Implementing personalised strategies in line with each pupil's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), ensuring progress is tracked and celebrated.
• Supporting communication needs using Makaton, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approaches.
• Creating calm, structured and predictable learning environments that reduce anxiety and build confidence.
• Assisting with sensory regulation, transitions and changes in routine throughout the school day.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists as part of a skilled multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintaining accurate records and following safeguarding procedures at all times.

Who we're looking for

• Demonstrable experience supporting pupils or young people with autism in a school, care or therapeutic setting.
• Knowledge of autism-specific approaches such as TEACCH, Intensive Interaction or low-arousal environments.
• A calm, consistent and reliable presence that pupils can trust and depend on every day.
• Emotionally resilient, patient and genuinely committed to inclusive education.
• Full-time availability from September 2026, Monday to Friday.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply for one.

What's in it for you

• From £92.63 per day, paid weekly via PAYE.
• Specialist autism and SEN training through Teaching Personnel's CPD programme.
• A dedicated consultant who takes the time to match you with the right school for your skills.
• A role where your contribution is visible, valued and makes a measurable difference every single day.

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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