Graduate SEN Early Years Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading education support organization in Gateshead is seeking a caring graduate to support children with special educational needs, aged 3 to 5. This role focuses on providing a safe learning environment, assisting with daily routines, and working closely with teachers and specialists. Interested candidates should have a relevant degree and a patient, positive attitude. Free training opportunities are available to enhance skills in educational psychology and therapists' approaches.

Benefits

FREE Thrive training

Support from experienced staff

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Graduate with a background in education, psychology, or related fields.
• Interest in Early Years development and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Responsibilities

• Support children aged 3 to 5 with learning and daily routines.
• Create a safe and understanding environment for pupils.
• Assist with sensory activities and structured play.

Skills

Patient and positive attitude

Great communication skills

Team-first attitude

Education

Degree in education, psychology, childcare, or social sciences

Job description

Ready to launch your career in education and make a real difference from day one?

We’re working with a brilliant specialist school that supports children with a range of additional needs, from autism to communication differences. They’re looking for a caring graduate who loves getting stuck in, enjoys the Early Years buzz, and wants to grow into a confident SEN practitioner.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting children aged 3 to 5 with their learning, play, and daily routines
• Creating warm, calm learning moments that help pupils feel safe and understood
• Working closely with teachers, therapists, and support staff
• Helping with sensory activities, communication work, and structured play
• Building trust with pupils who thrive on consistency and connection

What the school is looking for

• A graduate with a background in education, psychology, childcare, social sciences, or similar
• Someone patient, positive, and ready to learn
• An interest in Early Years development and SEN
• Great communication skills and a team-first attitude

Why this school?

This is a setting where support isn’t just a buzzword. You’ll be guided by experienced staff, trained in specialist approaches, and given plenty of opportunities to grow. If you’re thinking about teaching, educational psychology, therapy, or long-term SEN work, this is the perfect stepping stone.

Extra boost for your CV

Are you Thrive trained?
If not, no worries. We offer FREE Thrive training, which makes you even more appealing to specialist settings and helps you understand the emotional needs of young learners. Let me know if you’d like to get booked on.

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.