1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant

Aspire People; Baldock; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire People are recruiting for a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist school in Meldreth. The role is full-time, immediate start, Monday to Friday, supporting pupils with a range of additional needs and helping them overcome barriers to learning.

The position offers a rewarding environment in which you can make a tangible difference to each pupil's progress. You will need emotional resilience, patience and empathy to work with children who require additional time and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with SEN is desirable.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour with resilience.
• Willingness to work full-time, Monday to Friday.
• Knowledge of Autism, ADHD or learning difficulties is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with learning activities and classroom tasks.
• Encourage communication and independence.
• Support positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Follow individual education plans and strategies.
• Develop trusting relationships with pupils.
• Work alongside teachers and other professionals.
• Provide consistent and individualized support.

Skills

Patience

Resilience

Empathy

Emotional maturity

Consistency

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start | Meldreth

Full-Time Only | Monday-Friday | Temp to Perm

Easily Accessible from Royston, Cambridge and Surrounding Areas

The school is situated in Meldreth, with convenient driving access from:

• Melbourn - 2 miles / approx. 5 minutes
• Shepreth - 3 miles / approx. 7 minutes
• Royston - 4 miles / approx. 7-10 minutes
• Foxton - 4 miles / approx. 8-10 minutes
• Bassingbourn - 5 miles / approx. 10 minutes
• Cambridge - 10-11 miles / approx. 20-25 minutes
• Cambourne - 12-13 miles / approx. 18-25 minutes
• Baldock - 12 miles / approx. 18-22 minutes
• Biggleswade - 15-16 miles / approx. 25-30 minutes
• Hitchin - 16-17 miles / approx. 25-30 minutes
• Stevenage - 18-20 miles / approx. 25-35 minutes

Approximate driving distances and times, subject to traffic.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:40pm

Contract: Full-time, Temporary to Permanent

Start: Immediate start available

Transport: Own transport or reliable commuting arrangements essential

Are You Patient, Resilient and Experienced in Supporting Others?

Aspire People are looking for a committed and compassionate individual to join a specialist SEN school in Meldreth.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant or someone who has developed strong transferable skills through working in care, residential support, healthcare, mental health, childcare or other challenging environments.

You will be supporting children and young people with a range of additional needs, helping them overcome barriers to learning, develop independence and build confidence.

This is a rewarding opportunity, but it is important to understand that specialist education can be demanding.

We need someone who has the emotional resilience to manage challenging situations, the patience to support pupils who require additional time and encouragement, and the commitment to provide consistent support throughout the day.

PLEASE READ - FULL-TIME AVAILABILITY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

The school requires someone who can work:

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:40pm.

These hours are fixed and cannot be amended.

Unfortunately, there is no flexibility around:

• Part-time working.
• Reduced hours.
• Fewer working days.
• Later starts.
• Earlier finishes.
• Alternative working arrangements.

You must be fully available for the entire working pattern.

Applications from candidates who require flexible or reduced hours will not be suitable.

What Experience Are We Looking For?

Previous SEN experience is desirable, particularly working with children or young people with Autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, communication needs or behavioural challenges.

However, we are keen to hear from individuals with transferable experience in:

• Residential care and children's homes.
• Supported living and care homes.
• Healthcare and hospital settings.
• Mental health and behavioural support.
• Mainstream education and childcare.
• Youth work and mentoring.
• Social care and community support.

The Personal Qualities We Need

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Resilience: The ability to manage challenging and emotionally demanding situations.
• Patience: Understanding that every pupil has different needs and develops at their own pace.
• Emotional maturity: Remaining calm and professional when faced with distressed or challenging behaviour.
• Consistency: Providing reliable support and following individual strategies.
• Adaptability: Responding positively when situations change.
• Empathy: Building positive relationships and understanding individual needs.

This role will not suit everyone. You must be prepared for challenging days and understand that some pupils may require significant levels of support.

Your Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with learning and classroom activities.
• Encouraging communication and independence.
• Supporting positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Following individual education plans and support strategies.
• Developing trusting relationships with pupils.
• Working alongside teachers and other professionals.
• Providing consistent and individualised support.

What Will You Gain?

There is potential to secure a permanent position, alongside opportunities to develop specialist skills through training in:

• Makaton.
• LEGO Therapy.
• PRICE training.
• Sensory approaches.
• Manual handling.
• Thrive approaches.
• Individual Education Plans.
• Further specialist SEND training.

Aspire People Limited provides services as an Education Agency and an Education Employment Business

Aspire People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects every candidate to share this commitment. Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.