Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider seeks a compassionate Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant to join their early years team in Sunderland. This role involves supporting children with special educational needs through tailored support and engaging, play-based experiences. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and a strong commitment to child welfare, along with experience in early years settings.

Benefits

Ongoing training and CPD opportunities in SEND

Supportive working environment

Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's development

Collaboration with a dedicated staff team

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children with SEND.
• Good understanding of the EYFS framework.
• Ability to build strong relationships with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one or small group support to children with SEND.
• Assist in implementing individual support plans.
• Promote an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

Skills

Compassion

Patience

Resilience

Communication skills

Education

Level 2 or 3 qualification in Early Years, Childcare, or SEND

Job description

About the Role:
We are seeking a compassionate, proactive and nurturing Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant to join our supportive early years team. You will work closely with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, helping them to access learning through tailored support, structured routines, and meaningful, play-based experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one or small group support to children with SEND, including those with autism, speech and language needs, developmental delay, or sensory processing difficulties

• Assist the class teacher and SENCO in implementing individual support plans and EHCP targets

• Adapt activities and environments to meet the individual needs of each child

• Support children in developing communication, social, and self-help skills

• Monitor and record progress, behaviour, and engagement, contributing to assessment and review processes

• Promote an inclusive, safe, and engaging learning environment for all pupils

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working with young children with SEND (e.g., autism, speech & language delay, global developmental delay)

• A caring, patient, and resilient attitude

• Good understanding of the EYFS framework and early child development

• The ability to build strong, trusting relationships with children, families, and colleagues

• Relevant qualifications in Early Years, Childcare, or SEND (e.g., Level 2 or 3) are highly desirable

• A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

We Offer:

• A warm, inclusive, and supportive working environment

• Ongoing training and CPD opportunities in SEND, communication strategies (e.g., PECS, Makaton), and behaviour support

• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the early development of children with additional needs

• A collaborative staff team that values every member’s contribution

If this role sounds perfect, apply now!

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

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.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.