Communications Support Worker - Enhanced Resource Base (Autism)

Witchford Village College; Ely; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Witchford Village College in Ely is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support students with autism within a SEND team. You will work closely with teachers, therapists and families to enable effective communication, social development and independent learning, using visual supports and AAC where appropriate.

This role is on site and involves inclusive practice in mainstream settings. Experience with TEACCH, social stories and sensory regulation training would be an asset.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience with Autism and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
• Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide calm, patient, empathetic support recognizing behaviour as communication.
• Support students with autism including sensory differences, anxiety or communication barriers.
• Use visual supports, structured teaching approaches and AAC to aid communication.
• Adapt communication styles to meet individual needs to promote functional communication and independence.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals to deliver person-centred support.
• Contribute to inclusive practices to enable students to progress socially, emotionally and academically.

Skills

Calm and empathetic approach

Autism support

Visual supports / AAC

Communication adaptation

Collaboration with teachers/therapists

Education

Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification

Tools

TEACCH

Social stories

Communication boards

AAC strategies

Job description

The successful candidate will:

• Have a calm, patient and empathetic approach and understand that all behaviour is communication.

• Be skilled in supporting students with Autism including those who may experience sensory processing differences, anxiety, demand avoidance, or communication barriers.

• Have experience of using visual supports, structured teaching approaches (e.g. TEACCH), social stories, communication boards, and other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)strategies.

• Be able to adapt communication styles to meet individual student needs and promote functional communication, self-advocacy and independence.

• Support students to make progress socially, emotionally and academically, with a strong commitment to promoting successful inclusion in mainstream education where appropriate.

• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals to deliver consistent, person-centred support.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent).

• Experience of working with children or young people with Autism and/or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

• Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

The successful candidate will be committed to improving outcomes for students with autism by enabling them to communicate effectively, build positive relationships, develop independence and achieve their full potential. The ability to share knowledge and effective practice through training and CPD opportunities for colleagues would be an advantage.

Desirable qualifications and training

• Level 2 or Level 3 Award in Understanding Autism (or equivalent).

• Autism Education Trust (AET) training, including Making Sense of Autism or Good Autism Practice.

• Training in Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

• Experience using communication books or electronic communication devices.

• Training in sensory processing and supporting sensory regulation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated SEND team and make a genuine difference to the lives of young people with autism.