1:1 Support Teaching Assistant

New Directions Holdings Limited; Wirral; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

New Directions Holdings Limited is seeking a compassionate 1:1 Support Teaching Assistant to support a pupil with additional needs in a nurturing school environment.

You will manage challenging behaviour with de-escalation techniques and work closely with teachers, SEN staff and families to support the child’s progress and wellbeing, helping build independence and confidence in a positive, inclusive setting.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with additional needs.
• Trauma-informed approach to managing challenging behaviours.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with pupils, families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support to a pupil with additional needs.
• Build trusting relationships to help the child feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
• Use de-escalation techniques and behaviour strategies to manage challenging situations calmly.
• Work with teachers, SEN staff and parents to support progress and wellbeing.
• Encourage independence, confidence and social development throughout the day.
• Help create a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Job description

Make a Difference Every Day – Bring Your Skills from Youth Work or Residential Care into Education

Are you currently working in youth work or residential childcare and looking for a role that offers a better work-life balance without losing the opportunity to change young lives?

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient, and dedicated 1:1 Support Teaching Assistant to join our team, supporting a child with additional needs in a nurturing school environment.

This role is ideal for someone with experience managing challenging behaviour, building positive relationships, and supporting children and young people with complex needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing dedicated 1:1 support to a pupil with additional needs.
• Building trusting, positive relationships that help the child feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.
• Using de-escalation techniques and behaviour support strategies to manage challenging situations calmly and effectively.
• Working closely with teachers, SEN staff, and parents to support the child’s progress and wellbeing.
• Encouraging independence, confidence, and social development throughout the school day.
• Helping create a positive, inclusive learning environment.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• Experience working with children or young people with additional needs.
• A background in youth work, residential childcare, children’s homes, or a similar support role.
• Confidence in managing challenging behaviour using a calm, consistent, and trauma-informed approach.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Patience, empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for helping children succeed.
• The ability to work as part of a supportive school team.

Why Make the Move to Education?

If you’ve worked evenings, weekends, sleep-ins, or rotating shifts, you’ll know how challenging it can be to balance work and family life.

A school-based role offers:

• School hours that better support family life.
• Evenings and weekends free.
• School holidays off (or reduced working requirements, depending on contract).
• A rewarding career where your existing skills are highly valued.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• The opportunity to see the long-term impact you have on a child’s growth and success.

Your experience in supporting vulnerable children, managing complex behaviours, and building positive relationships is exactly what many pupils need to thrive in the classroom.

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive school environment.
• Opportunities for training and career progression.
• A rewarding role where every day makes a difference.
• A team that values your experience and expertise.
• The chance to help shape a child’s future through consistent, meaningful support.