British Sign Language Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider is seeking a BSL Teaching Assistant to support autistic pupils in Sunderland. You'll engage directly with students, helping them access learning and build social connections in a supportive environment. This role requires a minimum Level 1 BSL qualification and offers daily rates reflecting your experience. Join a dedicated team and make a significant impact in the lives of young people.

Benefits

Weekly PAYE pay

Free Thrive training and access to autism-specific CPD

Dedicated consultant support

Opportunities across inspiring educational settings

Qualifications

• BSL qualification (minimum Level 1) required.
• Experience supporting autistic pupils in education or care is ideal.
• Calm, consistent approach and strong rapport-building skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils using BSL to enhance learning and social connections.
• Working 1:1 or in small groups with children with complex communication needs.
• Collaborating with speech therapists and teachers for pupil progress.

Skills

Teamworking

Building rapport

Calm approach

Education

Recognised BSL qualification (minimum Level 1)

Experience supporting autistic pupils

Job description

BSL Teaching Assistant – Specialist Autism Provision

Location: Sunderland
Salary: £90–£110 per day (depending on experience and BSL level)
Contract: Full-time, Long-term
Start Date: September 2025

Are you BSL-trained and passionate about helping autistic young people thrive in a calm, caring setting?

We’re working with an outstanding specialist school in South Tyneside that supports autistic children and young people aged 4 to 19. They’re looking for a British Sign Language (BSL) Teaching Assistant who can build trusting relationships, offer clear communication, and provide a steady presence throughout the school day.

What this school stands for:

• They believe every pupil deserves to learn in a space that’s safe, structured, and responsive to individual needs

• Strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing and communication

• Staff are trained to understand autism, not manage it

• A whole-school commitment to respect, understanding, and real inclusion

Your role:

• Supporting pupils who use BSL to access learning and build social connections

• Working 1:1 or in small groups with children who may have complex communication needs

• Collaborating with speech therapists, teachers, and families to support each pupil’s progress

• Maintaining calm routines and clear boundaries while adapting to individual needs

You’ll need:

• A recognised BSL qualification (minimum Level 1)

• Experience supporting autistic pupils, ideally in an education or care setting

• A calm, consistent approach and the ability to build rapport

• Strong teamworking skills and a genuine love for helping children feel seen and understood

What you’ll get from Protocol Education:

• Weekly PAYE pay

• Free Thrive training and access to autism-specific CPD

• A dedicated consultant who knows the local SEN landscape

• Opportunities across some of the North East’s most inspiring settings

Looking for a role where your BSL skills truly matter? This could be the perfect next step. Apply now or get in touch to chat further.

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.