Autism & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive daily pay

Weekly PAYE payments

Free SEND and safeguarding training

Dedicated consultant

Long-term opportunities

Ongoing support

£50 Refer a Friend bonus

Job summary

Protocol Education is seeking a SEND Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and complex needs to work within a specialist or mainstream setting in Peterlee.

This role could involve supporting either primary or secondary-aged pupils, depending on the setting, with 1:1, small-group or wider classroom support as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous experience with autism or complex SEND is highly desirable.
• A relevant qualification would be beneficial but is not essential for every role.
• Comfortable supporting pupils who may have communication difficulties, sensory needs or behaviours that challenge.

Responsibilities

• You may provide 1:1 support, small-group support or wider classroom support, depending on the needs of the school.
• Help pupils access lessons and activities, understand and follow instructions, develop communication skills, build social interaction, manage transitions, develop independence, regulate emotions, participate in classroom activities, build confidence and positive relationships.

Job description

Autism & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant | Peterlee

Location: Peterlee and surrounding areas
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, school hours
Pay: £98–£120 per day, depending on experience

Every pupil has their own strengths, needs and way of learning. Could you be the person who helps them thrive?

Protocol Education are looking for a SEND Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and complex needs to work within a specialist or mainstream setting in the Peterlee area.

This role could involve supporting either primary or secondary-aged pupils, depending on the setting.

You may work closely with pupils who require additional support with communication, learning, sensory needs, behaviour or independence.

As a Teaching Assistant, you could be supporting pupils to:

• Access lessons and activities
• Understand and follow instructions
• Develop communication skills
• Build social interaction
• Manage transitions
• Develop independence
• Regulate their emotions
• Participate in classroom activities
• Develop confidence
• Build positive relationships with peers and staff

You may provide 1:1 support, small-group support or wider classroom support, depending on the needs of the school.

The ideal candidate

We are looking for someone who is calm, observant and patient and who understands the importance of adapting their approach to the individual pupil.

Previous experience with autism or complex SEND is highly desirable.

However, we will also consider candidates with transferable experience from:

• Care
• Support work
• Childcare
• Youth work
• Healthcare
• Education
• Residential settings

A relevant qualification would be beneficial but is not essential for every role.

You will need to be comfortable supporting pupils who may have communication difficulties, sensory needs or behaviours that challenge.

What Protocol Education offers:

• Competitive daily pay
• Weekly PAYE payments
• FREE SEND and safeguarding training
• Dedicated consultant
• Long-term and permanent opportunities
• Ongoing support
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further 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.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the 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 FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.