Autism Practitioner

The Tower School; Ivy Chimneys; On-site; AUD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Your Wellbeing Matters

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Health, wellbeing and insurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Critical illness cover

Job summary

The Tower School in Epping is seeking a compassionate Autism Practitioner to join our specialist team. You will provide personalised 1:1 and small-group support, help pupils access learning, and build trusting relationships to foster confidence and independence.

Working with teachers and a multi-professional team, you will deliver autism-informed learning experiences, support emotional regulation, and contribute to individual support plans and risk assessments.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above.
• Experience supporting children or young people with autism.
• Patient, caring and able to stay calm when situations become challenging.
• Ability to build strong, positive relationships with young people.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised 1:1 and small-group support, helping pupils access learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
• Support teachers in delivering creative, engaging and autism-informed learning experiences.
• Encourage pupils to develop greater independence, communication, confidence and social skills.
• Support emotional regulation and behaviour using calm, consistent and positive approaches.
• Adapt activities and resources to suit different learning styles, strengths and needs.
• Contribute to individual support plans, including IEPs, Behaviour Support Plans, Communication Profiles and Risk Assessments.
• Help create structured, stimulating learning environments where pupils can thrive.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Calm under pressure

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Boundaries

Education

GCSE English and Maths (C/4+)

Job description

Job Description

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title: Autism Practitioner

Location: The Tower School, Epping, CM16 4BA

Hours: 37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8am - 4pm

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: October 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Make a Difference. Build Confidence. Help Young People Thrive.

Are you passionate about helping young people with autism achieve more than they ever thought possible?

At The Tower School, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and resilient Autism Practitioner to join our specialist team. This is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with young people, help them overcome barriers to learning and support them to develop the confidence and independence they need for their future.

You’ll be much more than classroom support. Working alongside experienced teachers and our wider multi-professional team, you'll get to know each pupil as an individual—understanding their strengths, needs and interests and using these to help them engage with learning and experience success.

From supporting a pupil through a challenging moment to celebrating a breakthrough in learning, communication or independence, your impact will be felt every day.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide personalised 1:1 and small-group support, helping pupils access learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
• Support teachers in delivering creative, engaging and autism-informed learning experiences.
• Encourage pupils to develop greater independence, communication, confidence and social skills.
• Support emotional regulation and behaviour using calm, consistent and positive approaches.
• Adapt activities and resources to suit different learning styles, strengths and needs.
• Contribute to individual support plans, including IEPs, Behaviour Support Plans, Communication Profiles and Risk Assessments.
• Help create structured, stimulating learning environments where pupils can thrive.
• Support pupils safely during activities both in school and within the wider community.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and the wider multi-professional team to achieve the best possible outcomes for every pupil.

What We’re Looking For

• Has GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
• Has experience supporting children or young people with autism and/or behaviours that may challenge.
• Is patient, caring and able to remain calm when situations become challenging.
• Can build strong, positive and appropriately boundaried relationships with young people.
• Is adaptable, proactive and willing to think differently to help pupils succeed.
• Communicates confidently and works well as part of a collaborative team.
• Is passionate about helping autistic young people develop confidence and independence.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

The Tower School is an independent specialist day school in Epping, Essex, supporting 62 pupils aged 11–18 with autism and complex needs. In a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment, pupils receive personalised support to develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Our curriculum blends academic learning with life skills and personal development, fostering confidence, independence, and resilience. Guided by the Ask, Accept, Develop framework, The Tower School empowers every young person to thrive and reach their full potential.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales