Communication Support SEN Teaching Assistant

Veritas Education Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Veritas Education is recruiting a Communication Support SEN Teaching Assistant for a specialist SEN school in Sutton. You will work with pupils with autism, complex needs and communication difficulties to access learning and express themselves through AAC methods.

Working alongside teachers and therapists, provide targeted support, implement communication strategies and monitor progress while promoting safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Qualifications

• DBS is essential and safeguarding training is required.
• You must have legal right to work in the UK.
• Previous experience supporting children with speech, language and communication needs is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small-group classroom support.
• Encourage communication through speech, gestures, signs and visual resources.
• Support pupils using PECS, Makaton and other AAC systems where appropriate.
• Help pupils express their needs, choices and preferences.
• Encourage interaction, turn-taking and social communication.
• Support speech and language activities under professional guidance.
• Use communication boards, symbols and visual timetables.
• Help pupils participate in lessons, play and everyday activities.
• Observe communication progress and share feedback with teachers.
• Assist with personal care where required.

Skills

Patience

Active listening

Communication development

Teamwork

Safeguarding awareness

Adaptability

Makaton/PECS knowledge

AAC awareness

Tools

Makaton

PECS

AAC

Job description

Communication Support SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Sutton, South London

Start Date: ASAP

Contract: Full-time, term-time only

Setting: Specialist SEN School

Are you passionate about helping children and young people find their voice, communicate their needs and build meaningful connections?

We are seeking a caring and enthusiastic Communication Support SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEN school in Sutton. The school supports pupils with autism, severe and complex learning difficulties, PMLD, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and communication difficulties.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support pupils who may communicate in different ways and help them develop confidence, interaction and independence.

The Role

Working alongside teachers, therapists and other support staff, you will help pupils access learning and express themselves using appropriate communication approaches.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group classroom support.
• Encouraging communication through speech, gestures, signs and visual resources.
• Supporting pupils using PECS, Makaton and other alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems where appropriate.
• Helping pupils express their needs, choices and preferences.
• Encouraging interaction, turn-taking and social communication.
• Supporting speech and language activities under the guidance of relevant professionals.
• Using communication boards, symbols and visual timetables.
• Helping pupils participate in lessons, play and everyday activities.
• Observing communication progress and sharing feedback with teachers.
• Assisting with personal care where required.

The Ideal Candidate

• Patient, attentive and an excellent listener.
• Passionate about communication and language development.
• Confident adapting communication to suit individual pupils.
• Caring, creative and encouraging.
• A strong team player with good interpersonal skills.
• Committed to inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Previous experience supporting children with speech, language and communication needs, autism or complex SEN is desirable. Knowledge of Makaton, PECS or AAC is an advantage, but willingness to learn is equally important.

Essential Requirements

• Enhanced DBS covering Children and Adults is essential.
• A genuine interest in supporting children and young people with additional needs.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare.
• Availability for a full-time, term-time-only position.

Why Apply?

• Help pupils develop meaningful communication skills.
• Gain valuable experience in a specialist SEN environment.
• Work alongside teachers and other professionals.
• Develop your knowledge of alternative communication approaches.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VERITAS EDUCATION

All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy

Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained

You must have legal right to work in the UK

You must be willing to attend a registration interviewVeritas Education work with a variety of schools covering a wide geographical area. We deal with teaching placements at Primary, Secondary and college level as well as support staff positions also within these.

Disclaimer

'Nothing within the above advert was in any way designed or intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Veritas Education is an Equal opportunities employer and is proud in the knowledge that all placements are made on merit and suitability. We accept applications from all sections of the community