Teaching Assistant in Pupil referral Unit

Teaching Personnel are currently working with a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) based in Milton Keynes. They are looking for a Teaching Assistant to start as soon as possible. The role runs on a full-time basis until July 2019 and could become permanent for the right candidate.

The school caters for secondary aged students with challenging behaviour, SEMH and autism. It is vital to the school that a positive learning environment is created, where both the students and the staff enjoy learning and where there are opportunities for pupils to progress into college or further work-related learning.

The position is:

• Full time - working from 8.30am to 4pm
• Long term - starting immediately on an ongoing basis
• To support pupils of Primary age groups with challenging behaviour

Your work as a special needs teaching assistant would depend on the age of the children and their individual needs, but would typically involve:

• Supporting schoolwork under the supervision of the teacher
• Preparing learning resources
• Encouraging children's confidence, self esteem and independence
• Helping children understand instructions, through repetition, re-phrasing or demonstrating
• Putting into practice individual education, social, behavioural and personal care programmes
• Encouraging children to communicate with one another and with staff
• Providing feedback and assistance to teachers
• Supporting children in social activities and on outings
• Assisting children during therapy sessions
• Recognising signs of distress in children and offering reassurance
• Attending to pupils' physical needs
• Completing records

Key skills and experience needed:

• Experience working in specialist schools such as SEN schools or Pupil Referral Units
• Previous support work within a school or other child related experience
• Strong behaviour management and confident with challenging behaviour
• SEN experience is essential
• One to one and small group work
• Professional manner
• Enthusiastic and friendly, yet firm approach

Applicants with a Team Teach qualification (or equivalent) will be preferred, however this is not essential. Pupils in the school have often experienced traumatic personal lives which has disrupted their education. It is therefore very important that applicants are patient, resilient and passionate about ensuring pupils receive an outstanding education.

If you feel this is the right role for you then please contact Harry McCullagh at Teaching Personnel.