Graduate Teaching Assistant

Milk Education; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Milk Education is recruiting a Graduate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEN across settings in Derby. The role involves 1:1 and small-group support, helping students access learning activities and reach individual targets.

Ideal candidates hold an undergraduate degree in psychology, education or related fields. You will work closely with teachers and SENCOs to promote emotional regulation and independence, with commitment to safeguarding and child welfare.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related field such as psychology, education, criminology or sociology.
• Experience with children or young people with SEN is desirable.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build rapport quickly.
• Patient, empathetic and proactive approach; works well in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted 1:1 and small-group support for pupils with SEN needs.
• Support students in accessing learning activities and achieving targets.
• Build positive 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.
• Collaborate with teachers, SENCOs and external professionals to ensure consistent support.

Skills

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Empathetic approach

Patient demeanor

Education

Undergraduate degree (psychology/education/etc.)

Job description

Graduate Teaching Assistant – SEN School

Location: Derby

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

Essential Requirements

• 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.