Communication and Interaction Specialist Teacher

Leicestershire County Council; Leicester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is recruiting Specialist Teachers of Communication and Autism to support SEND reforms and the Experts at Hand programme. The role focuses on assessment, consultation and training to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will work with school leaders, SENCOs and multi-agency professionals, identifying needs and enabling inclusive practice across ages 5–19. A DBS check is required.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status with degree level qualification.
• Strong expertise in autism and communication needs.
• Experience delivering training and professional development to schools.

Responsibilities

• Support 5–19 year olds with communication and interaction needs and autism.
• Contribute to EHCP assessments and annual reviews.
• Provide assessment, advice, consultation and training to schools and settings.

Skills

Autism expertise

Communication skills

Training delivery

Collaboration

Assessment methods

Education

Degree + QTS

Specialist autism qualification (desirable)

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8RF

Salary: Main Pay Scale 5 - UPS3 + 2SEN (Dependent on experience)

Working Hours:32.5 hours a week

Contract Type: Full time and part-time post available, Permanent (Teachers Terms and Conditions)

Closing Date: 4th October 2026

Interview Date(s): W/C 12th October 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for highly skilled and experienced Specialist Teachers of Communication and Autism to join Leicestershire’s Specialist Teaching Service. These new posts within the expanding Learning, Communication and Autism Team will play a central role in supporting the delivery of SEND reforms and the Experts at Hand programme, helping schools build capacity and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND across the 5-19 age range.

We are looking for qualified teachers with strong expertise in autism and communication and interaction needs, strengths and differences and a secure understanding of how these may interact with other areas of SEND, including cognition and learning, SEMH and sensory needs.

About the Role

We are a welcoming and highly regarded team of Specialist Teachers and practitioners with extensive knowledge, experience and a strong commitment to inclusion. As part of the Specialist Teaching Service, we work collaboratively with families, educational settings and partner organisations to improve opportunities, experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

The successful applicant will support children and young people aged 5 to 19 with communication and interaction needs, including autistic learners, through a combination of specialist assessment, advice, consultation and training. Working within an evolving Experts at Hand model, you will help schools and post-16 settings strengthen inclusive practice, implement evidence-informed approaches and improve provision for learners with SEND.

The role involves working closely with school leaders, SENCos, families and multi-agency professionals to identify strengths, barriers and support needs, while contributing to EHCP assessments, annual reviews and other statutory processes. You will also maintain accurate records, support service development and engage in ongoing professional learning. We are seeking a motivated, collaborative practitioner with strong knowledge of the National Curriculum, effective SEND practice and a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.

An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.

For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.

About You

• Degree level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status, with evidence of further professional development in autism or communication and interaction. A specialist qualification in autism or a related area of SEND is desirable.
• Substantial experience of working directly with school-age children and young people with a diagnosis autism or those with communication and interaction needs
• Strong knowledge of effective assessment, teaching and learning strategies, interventions and resources that support progress, attainment and inclusion of pupils with communication and interaction needs across a range of educational settings.
• Experience of delivering training, consultation and professional development to educational settings and other partners, supporting inclusive practice and effective provision for children and young people with communication and interaction needs.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively, manage a varied caseload, and build effective working relationships with children, young people, families, colleagues, educational settings and partner agencies.
• Knowledge of the National Curriculum, statutory SEND legislation and guidance, local policies, and the ability to carry out duties in accordance with safeguarding responsibilities and procedures.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to actively demonstrate the values of the authority: Positivity, Trust and Respect, Flexibility, and Openness and Transparency.

Interviews for this post will take place in person. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our valuesandto delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

Angela Shipley, Strategic Lead for Neurodiversity

Email: [e-mail]

Or

Amy Thorpe, Learning, Communication and Autism Team Manager

Email: [e-mail]

If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal:https://emss.org.uk/support