EXPERIENCED SEND LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT

AMA Admin; North East; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay rates

Specialist SEND schools access

Free CPD & Milk Academy training

FastTrack registration

Long-term, short-term & day-to-day opp

Free teaching resources

Job summary

Milk Education is recruiting qualified and experienced SEND Learning Support Assistants to join specialist schools and SEND provisions across Durham. This role focuses on supporting pupils with autism, SEMH, and complex needs, with 1:1 and small-group interventions.

You will work closely with teachers and SENCOs, promoting independence, literacy, numeracy and communication while ensuring safeguarding standards are upheld.

Qualifications

• Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant / Supporting Teaching & Learning qualifications.
• SEND, Autism or relevant specialist training.
• Experience in SEN schools or specialist provisions.
• Experience supporting pupils with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support.
• Delivering personalised learning and intervention activities.
• Supporting communication, emotional regulation and behaviour.
• Helping pupils access the curriculum.
• Promoting independence and life skills.
• Implementing individual support strategies.
• Supporting sensory and therapeutic activities.
• Monitoring progress and feeding back to teaching staff.
• Building consistent, positive relationships with pupils.
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and wider support teams.

Skills

1:1 support

Small-group support

Behaviour support

Education

Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant qualifications

Job description

EXPERIENCED SEND LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT | DURHAM

Your Experience Matters. Your Expertise Is Needed.

Durham | DH1 1AA September 2026 Start Full-Time | Long-Term Specialist SEND School

Already experienced in SEND? We want to hear from you.

Milk Education is recruiting qualified and experienced SEND Learning Support Assistants to join specialist schools and SEND provisions across Durham.

This is an opportunity to use the experience you've built in SEND, autism, complex needs, behaviour and learning support in a setting where your skills are genuinely valued.

THE ROLE

You could be supporting pupils with a range of additional needs, including:

• Autism & communication needs
• ADHD
• SEMH
• Complex learning needs
• Challenging behaviour
• Speech, language & communication difficulties
• Physical and sensory needs

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support
• Delivering personalised learning and intervention activities
• Supporting communication, emotional regulation and behaviour
• Helping pupils access the curriculum
• Promoting independence and life skills
• Implementing individual support strategies
• Supporting sensory and therapeutic activities
• Monitoring progress and feeding back to teaching staff
• Building consistent, positive relationships with pupils
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and wider support teams

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're particularly interested in candidates with:

• Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant / Supporting Teaching & Learning qualifications
• SEND, Autism or relevant specialist training
• Previous experience working in SEN schools or specialist provisions
• Experience supporting pupils with complex needs or challenging behaviour
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and professional boundaries
• Confidence working 1:1 and as part of a wider team

Experience in schools, specialist provisions, residential care, youth work or other relevant support environments will also be considered.

WHY MILK EDUCATION?

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to specialist SEND schools and provisions
• FREE CPD & Milk Academy training
• FastTrack™ registration
• Long‑term, short‑term & day‑to‑day opportunities
• FREE teaching resources
• FREE educator wellbeing resources
• Dedicated personal consultant
• Temp-to-perm opportunities available

PAY

This role is paid within the advertised pay scale. Your starting rate will be determined by your qualifications, relevant experience, and the requirements of the assignment.

SAFEGUARDING

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qu