Classroom Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Middleton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel are seeking an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in Oldham from September 2026. You will support pupils with EHCPs across a range of complex needs, including ASC, PMLD, CLDD and SEMH, working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team.

In this role you will deliver tailored 1:1 and small-group support, adapt activities to maximise engagement, and help pupils develop communication, emotional resilience, independence and confidence in a

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
• Experience with pupils with ASC, PMLD, CLDD, sensory needs, and SEMH.
• Strong understanding of behaviour as communication and positive behaviour support.
• Experience implementing strategies to support communication, emotional regulation, and engagement.
• Ability to adapt support to meet diverse learning and developmental needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Calm, resilient, and reflective approach.
• Experience using communication systems such as PECS, Makaton, visual supports, or AAC strategies.
• Team Teach training or experience with positive behaviour support approaches.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and promoting independence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with complex additional needs.
• Support the implementation of EHCP targets and personalised learning programmes.
• Adapt learning activities and resources to maximise engagement and accessibility.
• Use communication and sensory strategies to support learning and participation.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that promote confidence, wellbeing, and independence.
• Implement positive behaviour support strategies and contribute to emotional regulation plans.
• Support pupils with ASC, PMLD, CLDD, sensory processing difficulties, and SEMH needs.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and families to ensure consistent support.
• Assist with personal care, mobility, and medical needs where required.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment.

Skills

SEND knowledge

Behaviour as communication

Interpersonal skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Makaton/PECS/AAC

Calm and resilient

Inclusive practice

Job description

Location: Oldham
Agency: Teaching Personnel

Teaching Personnel are seeking an experienced and highly committed SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist secondary school in Oldham from September 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled SEN professional looking to work in a well-supported specialist setting where their expertise can have a genuine impact on the lives of young people with complex additional needs.

We're looking for someone who is confident, proactive, and passionate about helping pupils overcome barriers to learning. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting students to develop communication skills, emotional resilience, independence, and confidence, while working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team.

This specialist secondary school supports pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and caters for a diverse range of needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
• Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD)
• Sensory Processing Difficulties
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs

The school is committed to providing a nurturing, structured, and highly personalised learning environment where every pupil is supported to achieve meaningful progress. Staff work collaboratively to ensure pupils are equipped with the skills, confidence, and independence they need both in school and beyond.

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers, therapists, and specialist support staff to help pupils access learning and achieve their individual EHCP outcomes.

No two days are the same. You will provide tailored support for students with a range of communication, sensory, behavioural, and learning needs, adapting your approach to help each pupil engage successfully with education.

The role requires a strong understanding of SEND, excellent relationship-building skills, and the ability to remain calm, consistent, and solution-focused when supporting pupils through challenges.

• Deliver high-quality 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with complex additional needs
• Support the implementation of EHCP targets and personalised learning programmes
• Adapt learning activities and resources to maximise engagement and accessibility
• Use communication and sensory strategies to support learning and participation
• Build positive, trusting relationships that promote confidence, wellbeing, and independence
• Implement positive behaviour support strategies and contribute to emotional regulation plans
• Support pupils with ASC, PMLD, CLDD, sensory processing difficulties, and SEMH needs
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and families to ensure consistent support
• Assist with personal care, mobility, and medical needs where required
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment

We're looking for a dedicated SEN practitioner who understands the importance of personalised support and is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for young people.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Experience working with pupils with complex needs, including ASC, PMLD, CLDD, sensory needs, and SEMH
• A strong understanding of behaviour as communication and a positive, pupil-centred approach to behaviour support
• Experience implementing strategies to support communication, emotional regulation, and engagement
• Confidence adapting support to meet a wide range of learning and developmental needs
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• A calm, resilient, and reflective approach
• Experience using communication systems such as PECS, Makaton, visual supports, or AAC strategies
• Team Teach training or experience using positive behaviour support approaches
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and promoting independence

Competitive we