Supply Teaching Assistants

Are you looking for flexible and rewarding work supporting children and young people with additional needs?

Teaching Personnel are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team of SEN and SEMH Supply Support Staff across Eastbourne and surrounding East Sussex areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a variety of specialist schools, alternative provisions, and mainstream settings, supporting pupils who require extra help to reach their full potential.

About the Role

As a member of our SEN supply network, you’ll work on a day-to-day or short-term basis, supporting pupils with a range of special educational needs including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

• ADHD and sensory processing difficulties

• Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD)

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs

• Communication and behavioural challenges

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing 1:1 or small group support for pupils to help them access the curriculum and remain engaged in lessons

• Assisting teachers with differentiated lesson delivery and preparing classroom resources

• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, helping them manage behaviour and develop coping strategies

• Encouraging independence, resilience and positive social interaction

• Building strong, trusting relationships with pupils through consistency and encouragement

• Working collaboratively with teaching staff, SENCOs and therapists to deliver holistic support

• Promoting inclusion and celebrating each pupil’s individual progress

• Occasionally assisting with personal care or sensory support, depending on the needs of the pupil

Every day will be different — one day you could be supporting a child with Autism in a nurturing primary classroom, and the next working with SEMH learners in a therapeutic setting focused on emotional wellbeing and life skills.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds in:

• Education, youth work, mental health or care

• Psychology, criminology, or social sciences graduates

• Experienced teaching assistants looking for flexibility

• Anyone with a genuine passion for helping children with additional needs

Key qualities we value:

• Patience, empathy, and resilience

• A proactive approach to learning and behaviour support

• The ability to adapt quickly to new environments and routines

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

What You’ll Gain

• Full flexibility — choose the days and locations that suit you

• Competitive daily pay (£85–£100 per day, depending on experience)

• Access to free online CPD including Autism Awareness, Safeguarding, and Team Teach

• Opportunities to experience a wide range of SEN and SEMH settings

• A dedicated SEN consultant to match you with schools that fit your skills and preferences

• The chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain hands-on experience in special education while maintaining flexibility. Whether you’re exploring a long-term career in education or looking for fulfilling part-time work, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Locations covered: Eastbourne, Hailsham, Seaford, Polegate and surrounding areas
Pay: £90–£100 per day (PAYE, paid weekly)
Start date: Immediate and ongoing

Apply today to join Teaching Personnel’s SEN & SEMH team and start making a real difference across East Sussex schools.

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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