Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Teaching Personnel Ltd.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel is recruiting for a Complex Needs Teaching Assistant at a SEN school in Central Manchester. You will support pupils with complex needs, working 1:1 and in small groups to enable access to education.

The role is full-time during term time; the school emphasizes inclusive education, collaboration with teachers and therapists, and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Previous SEN experience is desirable but not essential.
• Experience in SEN or education settings is beneficial.
• Willingness to work with pupils with complex needs, 1:1 or in small groups.
• All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and, where required, appropriate DBS checks.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with complex additional needs on a 1:1 and small-group basis.
• Assist with communication, sensory, and engagement-based learning activities.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and personal development.
• Provide personal care support where required.
• Work closely with teachers and specialist staff to deliver tailored support plans.

Skills

SEN experience

Communication

Empathy

Patience

Resilience

Job description

Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Central Manchester

Full-Time | Term Time Only

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs? We are recruiting on behalf of a highly supportive Special Educational Needs (SEN) School in Central Manchester that is looking to appoint a dedicated Complex Needs Teaching Assistant.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a specialist setting where every aspect of the school is designed to meet the needs of pupils with a range of complex learning difficulties. The school caters for students with needs including Autism (ASC), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), communication needs, sensory needs, and associated medical requirements.

As a Complex Needs Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in helping pupils access education, build independence, and achieve meaningful progress both academically and socially. No two days are the same, making this an extremely rewarding opportunity for someone who is patient, compassionate, and eager to make a difference.

Why This SEN School?

The school is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and highly inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to thrive. Staff work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and families to deliver personalised learning experiences tailored to each student's individual needs. The school also places a strong emphasis on staff development and provides ongoing training, making it an excellent environment for those looking to develop a long-term career within SEN education.

Located in the heart of Central Manchester, the school is easily accessible by bus, tram, and train services, making commuting straightforward from across Greater Manchester. For those who drive, the school benefits from excellent road links and convenient parking options nearby.

Who Can Apply?

We are keen to hear from candidates from all backgrounds. Previous SEN experience is desirable but not essential. The school values personality, empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people above all else.

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in:

• SEN or education settings
• Care and support work
• Residential childcare
• Youth work
• Mental health support
• Healthcare and nursing
• Sports coaching
• Psychology or education graduates
• Early years settings
• Customer service and community-based roles

The Role

• Supporting pupils with complex additional needs on a 1:1 and small-group basis.
• Assisting with communication, sensory, and engagement-based learning activities.
• Encouraging independence, confidence, and personal development.
• Providing personal care support where required.
• Working closely with teachers and specialist staff to deliver tailored support plans.

What the School Offers

If you are looking for a rewarding role within a specialist SEN school where you can make a genuine impact on the lives of children and young people with complex needs, we'd love to hear from you.

• A welcoming and supportive SEN environment.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Competitive rates of pay.
• Dedicated support from an experienced consultant.
• Potential opportunities for permanent employment.

All applicants must have a permanent residence and right to work in the UK. If you are currently based in another country, please do not apply for these roles as we will not be able to process your application.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.

When applying through Teaching Personnel, an enhanced DBS on the update service is a required document. If you do not have one already, you will be asked to apply for one through Teaching Personnel before you are able to start in a position.

Any applicants that have been out of the UK for more than 3 months over the past 5 years will be asked to provide an overseas criminal clearance check. If you do not already have one of these, please apply for this before applying to this role.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.

Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website