Non-Verbal and Communication Needs Teaching Assistant

Educato Limited; Denton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Educato Limited, in partnership with a welcoming SEND school in Denton, seeks a compassionate Non-Verbal and Communication Needs Teaching Assistant to support pupils with complex communication needs. You will help pupils express themselves, build relationships and access learning in a nurturing specialist environment.

Key duties include 1:1 and small-group support, using AAC/PECS, and collaboration with teachers and therapists to tailor strategies for each pupil's development and independence.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with speech, language or communication needs.
• Understanding of non-speaking pupils and strategies to support them.
• Calm, patient and empathetic approach with pupils.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with communication needs.
• Assist non-speaking pupils or those with limited verbal communication to express needs and emotions.
• Use communication methods such as PECS or AAC where applicable.
• Encourage development of communication, interaction and social skills through personalised activities.
• Support pupils with autism, sensory processing differences and other SEND where communication is key.
• Adapt resources to pupils' communication strategies to aid engagement in class.
• Collaborate with teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals to support each pupil's development.

Skills

Patience

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

AAC/PECS

Job description

Educato is working in partnership with a welcoming and supportive SEND school in Denton, who are looking to appoint a compassionate and dedicated Non-Verbal and Communication Needs Teaching Assistant.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Teaching Assistant who is passionate about helping pupils with communication difficulties express themselves, build relationships and access learning. You'll be supporting children with a range of complex needs, including pupils who are non-speaking or have limited verbal communication, helping them develop their communication, confidence and independence in a nurturing specialist environment.

The Role

As a Non-Verbal and Communication Needs Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with communication difficulties and additional learning needs.
• Support non-speaking pupils and those with limited verbal communication to express their needs, preferences and emotions.
• Use appropriate communication methods, including visual aids, communication boards, PECS or AAC systems, where applicable.
• Encourage pupils to develop their communication, interaction and social skills through personalised activities.
• Support pupils with autism, sensory processing differences and other complex SEND where communication is a key area of need.
• Help pupils access classroom activities by adapting resources and following individual communication strategies.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals to support each pupil's development.,

Whether you're an experienced Communication Needs Teaching Assistant or have a strong background supporting children with additional communication needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Previous experience supporting children or young people with speech, language or communication needs, including non-speaking pupils.

• An understanding of alternative and augmentative communication methods, such as PECS, AAC or visual communication systems, would be beneficial.
• A patient, attentive and empathetic approach, with the ability to recognise and respond to pupils' individual communication styles.
• The ability to encourage communication and engagement without placing pressure on pupils to communicate in a particular way.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A genuine passion for helping pupils express themselves, build relationships and develop greater independence.