Special Needs Support Assistant

Special Needs Support Assistant
Roles available in Salford, Bolton & Bury
£90+ per day | Term-Time Only | Full-time and Ad Hoc Placements | September start

A role that challenges you, teaches you, and stays with you.

Teaching Personnel is working closely with a network of specialist SEND schools across Salford, Bolton, and Bury to recruit Special Needs Support Assistants who want more than just a job — people who want to understand, connect, and contribute in a meaningful way.

This is not simply classroom support. It’s an opportunity to develop real-world skills in behaviour, communication, and neurodiversity — while being part of a close-knit, multi-disciplinary team.

We’re particularly keen to hear from those with backgrounds in psychology, education, healthcare, social care, youth work, or even areas like counselling, performing arts, coaching or creative therapy. If you’ve got transferable people skills and an open mind, there’s a place for you here.

Who will you be working with?

You’ll support students aged 4–19 with a range of needs, including:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)
ADHD, sensory processing differences, communication challenges, and behaviour that may challenge

These young people are full of potential. They need someone who sees them not as a diagnosis, but as individuals — and who is willing to meet them where they are, every day.

What does the role involve?

This is an active, hands-on role in specialist settings where relationships are central and every day brings something new. Tasks could include:

- Supporting students with transitions and daily routines
- Facilitating communication through Makaton, PECS, or visual timetables
- Working 1:1 or in small groups on emotional regulation, sensory integration, or EHCP-led goals
- Supporting social development during unstructured times like play and lunch
- Collaborating with teachers, therapists, and families to ensure consistent, effective support
- Using de-escalation strategies and low-arousal techniques when emotions run high

You don’t need prior SEN experience — you’ll be guided by experienced colleagues and offered ongoing training. What matters most is your presence, patience, and willingness to learn.

Who is this suited to?

This is a strong fit for you if you:

- Have experience with children or young people (professionally or personally)
- Are a psychology or education graduate seeking applied experience
- Come from a care, youth work, support, healthcare or mentoring background
- Are reliable, calm under pressure, and naturally observant
- Want to understand more about neurodivergence, inclusion, and child development

Whether this is a stepping stone to teaching, therapy, clinical psychology, or something else — the insight and empathy you’ll gain here will travel with you.

What Teaching Personnel can offer you:

- A competitive daily rate (£90+), paid weekly
- A dedicated consultant to help you find the right setting and develop professionally
- Flexible options: full-time, part-time, long-term or ad hoc placements
- A route into education, psychology, therapy or care sectors — through real, lived experience

Apply Now

Send us your CV and member of our team will be in touch for a conversation about your experience, aspirations, and where you could make the biggest difference.

If you’re curious about working with neurodivergent children and ready to learn by doing, this could be the start of something genuinely impactful.

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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