Communication & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Connex Education; Frome; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay (PAYE)

Free CPD access

Funded qualifications (Level 2/3/4)

Flexible day-to-day & long-term roles

Supportive SEND specialist network

Job summary

Connex Education is recruiting a Communication & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant to support children and young people with SLD, PMLD and SLCN across specialist SEND settings in Bristol. You’ll work with teachers and therapists to deliver personalised learning plans and promote communication, independence and wellbeing.

Flexible day-to-day and long-term roles, competitive PAYE pay, and access to CPD and funded qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with SEND (SLD, PMLD or SLCN) in education, care, or support settings.
• Ability to support pupils with complex learning needs and diverse communication methods.
• Willingness to learn Makaton, PECS, or related communication strategies.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SLD, PMLD, SLCN and other complex needs in classroom and activities.
• Collaborate with teachers to deliver personalised learning plans and EHCP goals.
• Support development of communication, independence, social interaction and emotional wellbeing.
• Use AAC approaches (Makaton, PECS, visual symbols, boards) to aid expression and access to learning.
• Adapt activities to meet diverse cognitive, physical, sensory, and communication needs.
• Promote positive behaviour with nurturing approaches.
• Work with therapists and other professionals to provide holistic support.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive learning environment and celebrate progress.

Skills

SEND experience

PMLD/SLCN knowledge

Makaton/PECS familiarity

Education

None

Job description

Communication & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Location: BANES
Hours: Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities Available
Contract: Flexible Supply – Day-to-Day & Long-Term Roles
Salary: £100 – £120 per day (dependent on experience and assignment)

Looking for a rewarding role where every day brings new opportunities to make a difference?

Connex Education is working in partnership with a number of specialist SEND schools across Bristol, recruiting compassionate and adaptable Teaching Assistants to support children and young people with complex and severe learning needs.

These opportunities are available across specialist settings supporting pupils with a wide range of additional needs, all of whom benefit from highly personalised learning programmes designed to help them achieve their full potential.

Whether you’re looking for flexible day-to-day supply or a long-term placement, you’ll become part of supportive school communities where your contribution will have a lasting impact.

About the Role

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)and other complex learning needs both in the classroom and during wider school activities.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging, highly personalised learning tailored to each pupil’s individual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
• Support pupils to develop their communication, independence, social interaction and emotional wellbeing.
• Use a range of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) strategies, including Makaton, visual symbols, communication boards and PECS, to help pupils express themselves and access learning.
• Adapt learning activities to meet a wide range of cognitive, physical, sensory and communication needs.
• Support positive behaviour using consistent, nurturing and relationship-based approaches.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and other professionals to deliver holistic support.
• Contribute to creating a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment where every pupil can flourish.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, celebrating progress and supporting them to overcome barriers to learning.

About You

We’re looking for individuals who:

• Have experience supporting children or young people with SLD, PMLD, SLCN or other complex SEND, either within education, care or support settings.
• Are confident supporting pupils with severe and complex cognition and learning difficulties.
• Have experience using, or are willing to learn, Makaton, PECS, communication boards, visual symbols and other communication strategies.
• Are patient, positive, calm and empathetic, with a genuine passion for helping every child reach their potential.
• Can build trusting relationships with pupils who communicate in a variety of ways.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Are committed to promoting independence, communication and meaningful outcomes for every learner.

Why Choose Connex Education?

• Competitive daily pay rates, paid weekly via PAYE.
• No umbrella companies or hidden deductions.
• Flexible day-to-day, short-term and long-term opportunities to suit your lifestyle.
• Opportunities across a wide network of specialist SEND schools throughout Bristol.
• A dedicated education consultant with SEND expertise.
• Free access to our accredited CPD, including the SEND Toolkit and Classroom Teacher Toolkit.
• Funded qualifications including Level 2 SEND, Level 3 Teaching & Learning, Level 4 HLTA and TEFL.
• Ongoing career development and progression opportunities within specialist education.

Connex Education Partnership is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, religion, culture, marital status, or disability. All candidates are assessed on merit alone. Connex Education Partnership is an employment agency and employment business.

Connex Education Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and candidates to share this commitment. We adhere to Safer Recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and other relevant legislation. All appointments are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.