Support Worker (Teaching Assistant / Classroom Support) – Secondary SEN
Location: Oldham
Agency: Teaching Personnel
Start Date: September 2026
Teaching Personnel are seeking an experienced and dedicated Support Worker (Teaching Assistant / Classroom Support) to join a specialist secondary school in Oldham from September 2026. This is a full-time, long-term opportunity for someone with a strong background supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who is looking to work within an educational setting.
The school provides specialist education for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and supports a diverse range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD), sensory processing difficulties, communication needs, and social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Staff are committed to creating a supportive, structured, and inclusive learning environment where pupils can develop confidence, independence, and essential life skills alongside their academic progress.
About the Role
This role would suit an experienced Support Worker who is passionate about making a difference within the classroom and supporting young people to access education. Although titled Support Worker, this position is centred around Teaching Assistant and classroom support responsibilities, working directly alongside teachers and specialist staff throughout the school day.
You will provide tailored support to pupils on both a one-to-one basis and in small groups, helping them engage with lessons, regulate their emotions, develop communication skills, and achieve their individual EHCP outcomes. The successful candidate will be confident supporting students with a range of complex learning, sensory, communication, and behavioural needs while remaining calm, patient, and adaptable in their approach.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with teaching staff, therapists, pastoral teams, and parents/carers to ensure pupils receive the highest standard of support both academically and emotionally.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide Teaching Assistant and classroom-based support for pupils with a range of complex SEND needs
- Support students on a 1:1 basis and in small-group learning activities throughout the school day
- Assist teachers in delivering engaging and accessible lessons
- Adapt classroom activities and resources to meet individual learning needs and EHCP targets
- Support pupils with Autism, PMLD, CLDD, sensory processing needs, and associated behavioural challenges
- Encourage participation, engagement, and independence within classroom activities
- Use visual timetables, PECS, communication aids, and other strategies to promote effective communication
- Implement positive behaviour support strategies and respond appropriately to dysregulation and challenging behaviour
- Build trusting and positive relationships that support emotional wellbeing and personal development
- Promote social interaction, confidence, and independence both inside and outside of the classroom
- Assist with personal care, feeding, toileting, and mobility support where required
- Support pupils during transitions, break times, enrichment activities, and educational visits
- Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and other professionals to support pupil progress
- Monitor and record pupil engagement, behaviour, and achievements as required
- Help maintain a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment for all pupils
- Prepare and organise learning materials to ensure lessons are accessible and engaging
Requirements
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Experience working with pupils or young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), PMLD, CLDD, sensory processing difficulties, communication needs, or social, emotional and behavioural needs
- Experience within a school, specialist provision, care setting, residential environment, youth work setting, or similar support-based role
- Strong understanding of behaviour as communication and the ability to use positive behaviour support strategies
- Confidence supporting young people who may present with behaviours that challenge
- Ability to build positive, professional relationships that promote engagement, wellbeing, and independence
- Patient, resilient, empathetic, and adaptable approach to supporting learners
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, sensory regulation approaches, or alternative communication methods would be beneficial
- Experience using PECS, Makaton, visual timetables, communication aids, or other communication systems is advantageous
- Team Teach training or experience using positive handling and de-escalation strategies is desirable
- Commitment to promoting inclusion and positive outcomes for young people
- Willingness to support personal care and mobility needs where required
- Available full-time and committed to a long-term position
What Teaching Personnel Offer
- Competitive weekly pay
- Full-time, long-term opportunities within specialist education settings
- Access to ongoing CPD and specialist SEND training
- Opportunities to develop skills in behaviour management, de-escalation techniques, and Team Teach practices
- Dedicated support from an experienced SEN recruitment consultant
- Valuable experience working within a highly supportive specialist school environment
- The opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives of young people with additional needs
Apply Today
If you have experience as a Support Worker, SEN Support Worker, Care Worker, Residential Support Worker, Behaviour Support Worker, Learning Support Assistant, or Teaching Assistant, and are passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning, we would love to hear from you.
This is an excellent opportunity to bring your support work experience into a rewarding educational setting, providing Teaching Assistant and classroom support to secondary-aged pupils with a wide range of additional needs.
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.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.
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