Most teaching assistant roles ask you to manage large classes and tick boxes. This one is different: you'll work in a specialist school where your role is to genuinely unlock potential in young people with complex needs, SEMH and autism who've been written off by mainstream education. If you've got two years in SEND and you're tired of feeling like you're firefighting rather than teaching, read on
Picture this: you're working with pupils from Year 1 to Year 13, each with their own story of struggle and resilience. The school isn't about cramming curricula; it's about removing the barriers that stopped these young people learning in the first place. You'll use trauma-informed approaches that actually work, watching confidence grow week by week in kids who've never had an adult believe in them before
Your days won't look like every other TA job. You'll adapt support to individual needs under teacher guidance, encourage independence, manage behaviour with real skill and compassion, and help organise learning environments where safety and order mean these young people can finally focus. You'll keep records that track genuine progress, and you'll see the impact of your work reflected in pupils' achievements and wellbeing
The team here invests in you properly. Full funding for training and qualifications, enhanced pay scales based on what you bring, NEST pension, enhanced maternity and paternity, life assurance. They even run a staff referral scheme worth £500 if you bring a colleague in. This is a provider that treats their team like they matter
What you will be doing
- Support pupils with learning activities, adapting your approach to their individual needs under teacher direction
- Help pupils develop socially, emotionally and behaviourally using trauma-informed methods that build trust and resilience
- Manage behaviour in line with the school's policies, staying calm and consistent even when things get challenging
- Encourage pupil engagement and independence in learning tasks, knowing when to step back and let them try
- Prepare resources, organise classrooms and maintain clean, safe, orderly learning spaces
- Support record-keeping and progress monitoring to track how each young person is moving forward
Why you will love working here
- Salary of £26,228 to £27,593 per year, full time (37.5 hours per week), with enhanced pay scales based on your experience and qualifications
- NEST enhanced pension scheme, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, and life assurance so your family is covered
- Fully funded training and qualifications for all staff - grow your skills without the cost
- Blue light discount card, employee wellbeing app and a range of discounts to ease the pressure
- Refer a friend scheme where you can split a £500 bonus - build your team and get rewarded for it
Is this you?
- You've got at least two years' solid experience working in SEND or a similar specialist provision
- You're genuinely committed to supporting young people with SEND - not just the job title, but the actual belief that every kid can move forward
- A Level 3 TA qualification is advantageous, and you're ready to build on it with fully funded training
- You understand trauma-informed approaches and can stay patient, warm and consistent with young people who've had rough rides
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.