Autism Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A specialist school in Gateshead is looking for a dedicated Autism Teaching Assistant. You will provide 1:1 support to students, assist in implementing individual support plans, and create a calm, positive learning environment. Ideal candidates should have experience in autism support, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people achieve their full potential. The school promotes safeguarding and offers training opportunities for staff.

Benefits

Training provided in autism support

Supportive and collaborative staff

Child-centred ethos

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic students or individuals with special educational needs.
• Must have or be willing to obtain a DBS on the Update Service.
• Backgrounds in care or youth work are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 or small-group support to pupils with autism.
• Assist in implementing individual support plans with teachers and therapists.
• Encourage engagement through patience and structured routines.

Skills

Experience supporting children or young people (ideally in autism or SEND settings)

Strong communication and relationship-building skills

Patience and resilience

Ability to adapt support to each child’s needs

Calm and reassuring approach

Education

Qualifications in SEN support, care, psychology, or similar

Job description

A warm and inclusive specialist school in Gateshead is seeking a dedicated Autism Teaching Assistant to join their team. The school supports children and young people with autism, communication needs, sensory differences and a range of additional learning needs. They are looking for someone patient, proactive and genuinely passionate about supporting autistic learners.

About the Role

As an Autism Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with pupils who benefit from structured routines, clear communication and personalised support. You will play a key role in helping students feel safe, understood and confident throughout the school day.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 or small-group support to pupils with autism
• Using communication systems such as visual timetables or now-and-next boards (training provided)
• Supporting sensory needs and helping pupils regulate throughout the day
• Assisting with activities that build social skills, confidence and independence
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and therapists to implement individual support plans
• Maintaining a calm, predictable and positive learning environment
• Encouraging engagement in learning through patience, praise and structured routines

Every day will bring opportunities to help a young person make meaningful progress.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting children or young people, ideally in autism or SEND settings
• A calm and reassuring approach, especially during moments of anxiety or sensory overload
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Patience, resilience and the ability to adapt support to each child’s needs
• Genuine passion for helping autistic students achieve their full potential
• A DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)

Backgrounds in SEN support, care, psychology, youth work or behaviour support are all highly valued.

Why This School?

• A highly supportive specialist environment
• Welcoming staff who work collaboratively
• Training provided in autism support, communication strategies and behaviour approaches
• A child-centred ethos where wellbeing comes first
• Opportunities for long-term development and progression

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about supporting autistic learners and want to be part of a school that truly values its staff, we’d love to hear from you.

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.