Behaviour & Autism Teaching Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly PAYE

Free CPD

SEND training

Dedicated consultant

Long-term opportunities

Ongoing support

£50 Refer a Friend

Job summary

Protocol Education in Sunderland is seeking a Behaviour & Autism Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Autism and additional needs in a specialist SEND setting. The role focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour and helping pupils develop strategies to feel more successful at school.

You will provide 1:1 and small‑group support, build trusting relationships, manage transitions, and work closely with teachers and the SEND team.

Qualifications

• Experience with Autism, SEMH or behaviour support is desirable.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with pupils and staff.
• Willingness to undertake safeguarding training and checks.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with Autism and additional needs.
• Provide 1:1 and small-group support.
• Build positive and trusting relationships.
• Identify and respond to potential triggers.
• Support emotional regulation.
• Encourage appropriate communication.
• Use positive behaviour strategies.
• Help pupils access classroom learning.
• Support transitions and routine changes.
• Maintain clear, consistent expectations.
• Encourage independence and confidence.
• Support pupils during less structured parts of the day.
• Work with teachers and the SEND team.

Skills

Calm

Patient

Consistent

Empathetic

Confident

Resilient

Autism experience

Job description

Behaviour & Autism Teaching Assistant | Sunderland

Location: Sunderland
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–4:30pm
Pay: £98–£120 per day, dependent on experience

Can you support behaviour while seeing the person behind it?

Protocol Education are looking for a Behaviour & Autism Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEND setting in Sunderland.

This role would suit someone who has experience working with young people with Autism and who is confident supporting pupils who may experience distressed behaviour, emotional regulation difficulties or barriers to communication.

The focus isn't simply on managing behaviour — it's about understanding the reasons behind it and helping pupils develop strategies that allow them to feel more successful at school.

Your Responsibilities

• Support pupils with Autism and additional needs.
• Provide 1:1 and small‑group support.
• Build positive and trusting relationships.
• Identify and respond appropriately to potential triggers.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation.
• Encourage appropriate communication.
• Use positive and proactive behaviour strategies.
• Help pupils access classroom learning.
• Support transitions and changes to routine.
• Maintain clear and consistent expectations.
• Encourage independence and self‑confidence.
• Support pupils during less structured parts of the day.
• Work closely with teachers and the wider SEND team.
• Contribute to a safe, calm and inclusive classroom environment.

Who We're Looking For

This role would suit someone who is:

Calm – able to remain composed when situations become challenging.

Patient – understands that progress takes time.

Consistent – provides clear boundaries and predictable support.

Empathetic – looks beyond behaviour and considers the individual.

Confident – able to communicate effectively with pupils and colleagues.

Resilient – able to deal with challenging days while maintaining a positive approach.

Experience in Autism, SEMH, behaviour support, specialist education, residential care, youth work or mentoring would be highly desirable.

A Driving Licence Is a Bonus

Drivers with access to their own vehicle are particularly welcome, although this isn't essential.

Why Protocol Education?

• Weekly PAYE payments.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Autism Awareness and SEND training.
• Dedicated education 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.