Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Specialist SEND Provision

Senploy; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SEND-specific training and CPD

Safeguarding updates

Dedicated education consultant support

Long‑term progression opportunities

Job summary

Senploy is seeking a dedicated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) for a specialist SEND provision in Woolton, Liverpool. You will lead learning, deliver interventions and provide class cover to secondary pupils with autism, complex needs and SEMH challenges.

Working with a skilled team, you’ll adapt teaching to individual EHCP goals, monitor progress and support emotional regulation. HLTA status or Level 4 qualification is expected, with opportunities for SEND-focused CPD and long‑term

Qualifications

• HLTA status or Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting secondary-age pupils with SEND and autism.
• Ability to lead lessons, deliver interventions and provide class cover.

Responsibilities

• Lead planned lessons and learning activities with individuals, groups and whole classes.
• Provide whole-class cover when required.
• Adapt learning around pupils' individual abilities and EHCP outcomes.
• Deliver targeted interventions in literacy, numeracy, communication and social development.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
• Monitor learning and provide teachers with feedback on progress.
• Support vocational learning and life-skills activities.

Skills

Lead learning

Classroom management

Communication

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Calm under pressure

Organised

Progress monitoring

Education

HLTA status or Level 4 qualification

Tools

Makaton

PECS

MAPA

AAC systems

Job description

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Specialist SEND Provision

Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term | Term-Time Only

If you're an experienced Teaching Assistant or HLTA who wants to do more than simply support from the sidelines, this could be an excellent next step.

We're recruiting a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) for a specialist SEND provision in Woolton, Liverpool, supporting secondary-aged pupils with autism (ASC), moderate to severe learning difficulties and communication, sensory and social-emotional needs.

This is a hands‑on role where you'll have the opportunity to lead learning, deliver interventions, provide class cover and help young people develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

You’ll join an experienced specialist team that understands that progress looks different for every pupil - and that academic achievement is only one part of preparing young people for their future.

As an HLTA, you'll have greater responsibility for learning while continuing to provide the individualised SEND support pupils need.

Working alongside teachers, therapists and pastoral staff, you’ll:

• Lead planned lessons and learning activities with individuals, groups and whole classes.
• Provide whole‑class cover when required.
• Adapt learning around pupils' individual abilities, communication styles and EHCP outcomes.
• Deliver targeted interventions in literacy, numeracy, communication and social development.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
• Support young people with autism, learning difficulties and sensory needs.
• Reinforce routines and approaches that create consistency and security.
• Monitor learning and provide teachers with meaningful feedback on progress.
• Encourage pupils to become increasingly confident and independent.
• Support vocational learning, enrichment, educational visits and practical life‑skills activities.

For some pupils, success might mean completing a learning task independently. For another, it could be communicating a choice, coping with an unexpected change or successfully navigating a social situation.

you’ll help recognise, encourage and build upon all of that progress.

Not every young person will communicate in the same way.

Depending on your experience and the pupils you’re supporting, you may use approaches such as:

• Visual timetables and visual prompts.
• PECS.
• Makaton.
• Social Stories.
• AAC systems.
• Structured routines and communication strategies.

You don't necessarily need experience with every approach, but you'll need to be willing to adapt the way you communicate rather than expecting the pupil to adapt to you.

Some pupils may experience difficulties with emotional regulation or display behaviour that challenges.

You’ll provide calm, consistent support, helping to understand what a pupil may be communicating through their behaviour and using agreed strategies to reduce barriers and help them re‑engage.

Experience of positive behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, Team Teach, MAPA or similar approaches would therefore be particularly useful.

We're looking for someone with HLTA status, a relevant Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience and qualifications, who is confident taking greater responsibility within the classroom.

You’ll ideally have recent experience supporting young people with SEND, autism and learning difficulties, particularly within a secondary or specialist setting.

You’ll need to be:

• Confident leading groups and learning activities.
• Comfortable providing classroom cover.
• Calm and resilient when situations become challenging.
• Able to adapt quickly to individual needs.
• Organised and confident recording progress.
• A strong communicator and collaborative team member.
• Passionate about helping young people become more independent.

Experience within a specialist SEND school, resource base or alternative provision would be particularly valuable.

Knowledge of EHCPs, sensory processing, SEMH, complex communication needs and preparation‑for‑adulthood pathways would also be beneficial.

One of the most rewarding parts of specialist secondary education is helping young people develop the skills they’ll need beyond school.

Alongside academic learning, you may support pupils with communication, relationships, independence, life skills, vocational learning and preparation for adulthood.

That makes this an excellent opportunity for an HLTA who wants to develop their specialist SEND career while having genuine responsibility for pupil outcomes.

• £110-£130 per day, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Full‑time, consistent Monday‑Friday work.
• 8:30am-3:30pm, term‑time only.
• A long‑term opportunity within specialist SEND education.
• Access to SEND‑specific training and CPD.
• Regular safeguarding updates.
• Support from a dedicated education consultant.
• Opportunities to progress into further long‑term or permanent specialist roles.
• Valuable experience working alongside SEND professionals and multidisciplinary teams.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer‑recruitment and compliance checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and relevant right‑to‑work and safeguarding checks.

Overseas police checks may be required where applicable.