Teaching Assistant / Physical Needs Support Worker

Location: Penarth
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-Time, Term Time Only (Academic Year)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 2:50pm
Pay: £93 per day (negotiable depending on experience)

We are seeking a dedicated, compassionate and proactive Teaching Assistant / Physical Needs Support Worker to join a specialist provision within a secondary school in Penarth. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a newly renovated, purpose-built specialist base supporting learners with physical disabilities and additional physical needs.

This role would suit individuals with experience in education, care, support work, physiotherapy assistance, rehabilitation, disability support, healthcare support, or those with a genuine passion for helping young people achieve their full potential.

The Role

You will provide both educational and physical support to secondary-aged learners, helping them access learning, develop independence, and participate fully in school life.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting learners with physical disabilities and mobility needs throughout the school day.
• Assisting with safe moving and handling procedures.
• Supporting wheelchair users and learners requiring specialist equipment.
• Working alongside teaching staff, therapists, and external professionals.
• Assisting learners with personal care where required.
• Encouraging independence, confidence, and social inclusion.
• Supporting learning activities both within the specialist base and mainstream lessons.
• Following individual support plans and physiotherapy programmes where appropriate.

About You

We are looking for candidates who have:

Essential:

• Experience supporting individuals with physical disabilities, mobility difficulties, or complex physical needs.
• Experience as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Support Worker, Care Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, Residential Support Worker, or similar role.
• A patient, caring and professional approach.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A willingness to undertake relevant training.

Desirable:

• Manual Handling Training (or willingness to complete training).
• Experience supporting wheelchair users.
• Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Healthcare, Nursing, Sports Therapy, Care, or related experience.
• Experience working within a school, education, healthcare, care home, rehabilitation, or community support setting.
• Knowledge of physical disabilities, neurological conditions, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or complex physical needs.

What We Offer

• A rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in young people's lives.
• A supportive and experienced team environment.
• Access to specialist training including manual handling and physical needs support.
• Work within a modern, newly renovated specialist provision.
• Consistent full-time hours throughout the academic year.
• Competitive daily pay rate with flexibility for experienced candidates.

If you are passionate about supporting young people with physical needs and are looking for a fulfilling role that combines elements of education, care, therapy support, and learner development, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to join a dedicated team supporting learners to thrive both academically and personally.

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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