Specialist autism support worker

Teaching Personnel is proud to be recruiting on behalf of a confidential specialist autism school in Horsham - an exceptional setting with a strong local and regional reputation for the quality of its provision, its staff team and the outcomes it achieves for the young people in its care. Following significant growth, the school has multiple vacancies and is actively seeking experienced, mature and committed support professionals to join them immediately and ahead of September 2026.

Working here is not for everyone. The pupils have complex needs, the days can be demanding and the role requires a level of emotional and professional resilience that not every candidate will have. But for those who do - for the people who thrive on meaningful, specialist work and who genuinely love the challenge of connecting with a young person that others have struggled to reach - it is one of the most rewarding places to build a career in education.

Please note: a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential, as the school is set in a rural location and is not easily accessible by public transport.

What you'll be doing

• Delivering consistent, knowledgeable and compassionate support to pupils with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) across 1:1, small group and whole-class settings.
• Implementing personalised strategies rooted in each pupil's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), working closely with teachers and therapists to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Using specialist communication tools including Makaton, PECS and AAC devices to support pupils' expressive and receptive communication needs.
• Helping pupils to navigate sensory challenges, manage transitions and regulate their emotions throughout the school day - using structured, evidence-informed and person-centred approaches.
• Acting as a reliable, trusted and consistent presence in the lives of young people who depend on that consistency more than almost anything else.
• Collaborating actively with a multi-disciplinary team including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, specialist teachers and pastoral staff.
• Maintaining thorough, accurate records and upholding the school's safeguarding and confidentiality standards at all times.

Who we're looking for

• A professional with meaningful experience supporting individuals with autism - in a school, care, residential, therapeutic or health setting.
• Someone who brings personal depth, emotional maturity and genuine resilience to their work - qualities that come from experience, reflection and a real understanding of what it means to support a complex young person through a difficult day.
• Solid awareness of autism-specific frameworks and approaches, including low-arousal environments, structured teaching, TEACCH, Intensive Interaction or similar.
• The confidence to work both independently and as part of a close-knit specialist team, adapting your approach fluidly to the needs of each pupil and each situation.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle - non-negotiable due to the school's location.
• Full-time availability, Monday to Friday, term-time, from either an immediate start or September 2026.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one.

What's in it for you

• £23,175 per annum with full pay during school holidays - a strong and competitive salary for a specialist support role at this level.
• Multiple permanent, full-time vacancies - giving you genuine choice and stability rather than short-term cover.
• Specialist autism training and ongoing CPD, delivered through Teaching Personnel and supported by the school's own expert staff team.
• A role where your experience, maturity and professional judgment are genuinely valued - not just ticked off a person specification.
• A dedicated Teaching Personnel consultant who understands specialist SEN recruitment and will support you from first conversation through to your first day and beyond.
• Immediate start available for the right candidate, with further September 2026 positions also on offer.

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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