Graduate Teaching Assistant - SEN

Protocol Education Ltd; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A specialist education provider in Gateshead is seeking a Graduate SEN Teaching Assistant to support students with additional needs. The role involves building strong relationships with learners and collaborating with educators to create a positive learning environment. Ideal candidates will be recent graduates in education or related fields, eager to learn, and passionate about helping children with complex needs. Free training and ongoing support will be provided to enhance your career in education.

Benefits

Weekly PAYE pay

Free online CPD training

Supportive consultant

Referral bonus

Qualifications

• Recent graduate in a relevant field preferably.
• Interest in supporting children with SEND.
• Experience with children or vulnerable adults helpful.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with additional needs in their learning.
• Deliver sensory and communication activities.
• Build trusting relationships with students.
• Collaborate with teachers and support staff.

Skills

Positive attitude

Curiosity

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

Degree in psychology, education, SEN, childcare or related field

Job description

Just finished your degree and looking for a role where you can genuinely change someone’s day? A fantastic specialist school in Gateshead is welcoming a new Graduate SEN Teaching Assistant to join their team. If you’re curious, compassionate and up for learning loads on the job, this is a brilliant place to start.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll support pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them access learning in a way that feels safe, structured and positive. Every day is different, so you’ll get plenty of hands‑on experience that’s perfect for anyone considering teaching, educational psychology, therapy pathways or SEND careers.

Expect to:

• Support pupils 1:1 and in small groups
• Help deliver sensory, communication or routine‑based activities
• Build warm, trusting relationships with learners
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and support staff
• Bring calm, patience and a sense of humour (you’ll use all three daily)

What we’re looking for

• A recent graduate, ideally in psychology, education, SEN, childcare, social sciences or similar
• Someone who’s positive, curious and ready to learn
• Great communicators who can adapt quickly
• Experience with children or vulnerable adults is helpful but not essential
• A genuine interest in SEND and supporting children with complex needs

If you’re already Thrive trained, lovely. If not, we’ll happily enrol you on free Thrive training, which gives you brilliant tools for emotional regulation and wellbeing support.

What you’ll get with Protocol Education

• Weekly PAYE pay, no umbrella company nonsense
• Free online CPD in SEND, behaviour, safeguarding and more
• A supportive Gateshead‑based consultant who knows the local schools
• Long‑term roles that help you build real, meaningful experience
• Opportunities across SEND, SEMH, PRU and specialist settings
• A referral bonus if you recommend another great graduate or TA

If you’re ready to kick‑start your career in education and want a role where every small win matters, we’d love to hear from you. Drop your CV over and let’s chat about the next steps.

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.