Graduate Teaching Assistant

Milk Education; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Milk Education is seeking a Graduate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEN across Derby area schools. The role runs 8:30am-3:30pm, with a start ASAP and a long-term contract.

You will provide 1:1 and small-group support, helping students access learning activities and hit personal targets while building emotional regulation and confidence. Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and strong communication skills, with a patient, proactive approach and ability to

Qualifications

• Provide targeted 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEN needs.
• Support pupils to access learning activities and achieve targets.
• Build trusting relationships to support emotional regulation and social development.
• Assist with communication, confidence-building and independence skills.

Responsibilities

• Promote positive behaviour and implement effective behaviour-management strategies.
• Work closely with teachers, SENCOs and external professionals to ensure consistent support.
• Collaborate with school staff to monitor pupil progress and adjust supports as needed.

Skills

1:1 support

Small-group support

Communication skills

Rapport building

Emotional regulation

Team collaboration

Initiative

Education

Undergraduate degree

Job description

Graduate Teaching Assistant - SEN School

Hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm

Start Date: ASAP

Contract: Long-term

Milk Education is seeking dedicated and motivated Graduate Teaching Assistants to work across a range of SEN schools in Derby. This is an excellent opportunity for graduates looking to gain hands-on experience supporting children and young people with additional needs.

This role is ideal for graduates with a passion for education, psychology or mental health who are looking to build a career in teaching, educational psychology, or specialist support roles.

Working across SEN settings, you will support pupils with a range of needs including autism (ASC), ADHD, SEMH, and moderate to complex learning difficulties, helping them to engage positively with education and reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide targeted 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEN needs
• Support students in accessing learning activities and achieving individual targets
• Build positive, trusting relationships to support emotional regulation and social development
• Assist with communication, confidence-building, and independence skills
• Promote positive behaviour and implement effective behaviour-management strategies
• Work closely with teachers, SENCOs, and external professionals to ensure consistent support
• An undergraduate degree (e.g. Psychology, Education, Criminology, Sociology, or a related field)
• Relevant experience working with children or young people with SEN (desirable)
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport quickly
• A patient, empathetic, and proactive approach
• Ability to work collaboratively and use initiative when required

Why choose Milk Education?

We're bottled differently here at Milk, with coverage and offices in your local area. We take a whole-school approach to staffing, culture and school impact, connecting educators with schools that value consistency, wellbeing and community. With Priority Partnerships, enrichment programmes, CPD and our Unbottled and Make Life Kind initiatives, we're rethinking what a recruitment agency can be.

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.

Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.