Immediate Start - 1:1 Teaching Assistant

Aspire People; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire People are recruiting a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist school in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire. The role focuses on supporting pupils with a range of additional needs to access learning and develop independence.

We welcome applicants with SEN experience and transferable care or education experience. The role offers potential for permanent employment and specialist training.

Qualifications

• Previous SEN experience desirable.
• Experience supporting children with SEND and disabilities is beneficial.
• Ability to support children with ASC/ADHD and SEMH.
• Transferable experience from childcare, healthcare or education is considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group support.
• Support classroom learning and activities.
• Assist pupils with communication and social development.
• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Support individual learning plans and targets.
• Build positive relationships with pupils and staff.
• Create a safe, consistent and supportive learning environment.

Skills

SEN experience

Patience

Resilience

Communication

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start

Location: Meldreth, Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire Border

Contract: Full-Time, Temporary to Permanent

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm

Start Date: Immediate Start Available

Are You Passionate About Supporting Children with Additional Needs?

Aspire People are recruiting a dedicated, patient and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to join a specialist school in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), who is looking to develop their career within specialist education.

We welcome applications from experienced SEN Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants and candidates with transferable experience from residential childcare, care, healthcare or mainstream education.

The role offers the potential for permanent employment, specialist training and career progression.

The Role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will support pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them access learning, develop confidence and build independence.

Responsibilities

• Providing individual and small-group support.
• Supporting classroom learning and activities.
• Assisting pupils with communication and social development.
• Encouraging positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Supporting individual learning plans and educational targets.
• Building positive relationships with pupils and staff.
• Creating a safe, consistent and supportive learning environment.

Experience and Skills Required

Previous SEN experience is desirable, particularly supporting children with:

• Autism (ASC) and ADHD.
• Learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Communication and speech difficulties.
• Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
• Behavioural challenges.

We will also consider candidates with transferable experience in:

• Residential childcare and children's homes.
• Care homes and supported living.
• Healthcare and mental health support.
• Mainstream schools and nurseries.
• Youth work, mentoring and social care.

You must be patient, reliable, emotionally resilient and confident remaining calm when supporting pupils with challenging needs.

Specialist Training and Career Progression

There may be opportunities to access specialist training, including:

• Makaton and communication strategies.
• LEGO Therapy.
• PRICE training.
• Thrive approaches.
• Sensory learning.
• Manual handling.
• Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

There is also potential for the role to become permanent, offering longer-term career opportunities.

IMPORTANT - FULL-TIME ONLY

This position is strictly full-time.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:40pm.

These hours are fixed and cannot be adjusted. The school cannot accommodate part-time hours, reduced days, flexible starts or earlier finishes.

Please only apply if you can commit to the full working pattern.

Own transport or reliable daily commuting arrangements are essential.

Essential Requirements

• Previous SEN experience desirable.
• Relevant childcare, care or support experience considered.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patient, compassionate and resilient approach.
• Reliable and professional attitude.
• Full-time availability, Monday to Friday.
• Ability to work 8:30am-4:40pm.
• Immediate availability preferred.

If you are passionate about supporting children with additional needs and want to develop your career in specialist education, we would love to hear from you.

Location and Commuting

The school is based in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, and is accessible from surrounding areas of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

Approximate driving distances and journey times:

• Melbourn - 2 miles / 5 minutes.
• Shepreth - 3 miles / 7 minutes.
• Royston - 4 miles / 7-10 minutes.
• Cambridge - 10-11 miles / 20-25 minutes.
• Cambourne - 12-13 miles / 18-25 minutes.
• Baldock - 12 miles / 18-22 minutes.
• Letchworth Garden City - 14-15 miles / 18-25 minutes.
• Biggleswade - 15-16 miles / 25-30 minutes.
• Hitchin - 16-17 miles / 25-30 minutes.
• Stevenage - 18-20 miles / 25-35 minutes.

Journey times are approximate and dependent on traffic.

Aspire People Limited provides services as an Education Agency and an Education Employment Business. Aspire People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects every candidate to share this commitment. Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.