Primary SEND Teaching Assistant

Cover-People; Wigan; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking on site

Permanent position opportunity

Dedicated consultant support

Job summary

Cover People are seeking a SEND Primary Teaching Assistant for a specialist primary school in the Atherton area of Wigan. The role starts September 2026, full-time, long-term with a view to permanent for the right candidate. You will support pupils with Autism and complex needs in a nurturing, structured environment.

The school offers a welcoming SEND team, ongoing professional development and good transport links, with an excellent daily rate of £95–£110 paid PAYE direct via Cover People.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting primary-aged children with Autism Spectrum Condition.
• Experience with complex learning needs.
• Patience and compassion with every child.

Responsibilities

• Support primary-aged pupils with ASC and complex learning needs in a safe, structured environment.
• Build positive relationships and use autism-friendly communication approaches.
• Identify triggers and apply preventative strategies and behaviour support.
• Provide one-to-one and small-group support, adapting activities to needs.
• Encourage communication, independence and confidence through consistent support.
• Collaborate with teachers, SEN staff, parents and external professionals.
• Help create a calm, inclusive learning environment where pupils feel valued.

Skills

ASC experience

Behaviour support

Patience & compassion

Job description

Cover People need you!

Are you a caring and dedicated SEND Primary Teaching Assistant?

Would you like to work in a specialist primary school where every day you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children with Autism and complex needs?

Are you looking to join a welcoming, supportive and highly skilled staff team who are passionate about helping every child achieve their full potential?

If so, this could be the perfect role for you!

This is an exciting opportunity for a SEND Primary Teaching Assistant, starting September 2026, on a full-time, long-term basis at a welcoming special needs primary school in the Atherton area of Wigan.

Role

SEND Primary Teaching Assistant at a special needs primary school in Atherton, Wigan

Start Date

September 2026

Contract

Long-term. Temp to perm for the right person.

Hours

Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm

Excellent Pay: £95–110 per day DOE – paid PAYE direct via Cover People.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting primary-aged pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex learning needs, helping them access education in a safe, structured and nurturing environment.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils and using autism-friendly approaches to support communication, emotional regulation and engagement.
• Recognising individual triggers and implementing preventative strategies alongside positive behaviour support techniques.
• Providing tailored one-to-one and small group support, adapting learning activities to meet each child's individual needs and abilities.
• Encouraging communication, independence, confidence and social interaction through consistent support and positive reinforcement.
• Working closely with teachers, therapists, SEN staff, parents and external professionals to ensure every child receives the highest level of support.
• Contributing to a calm, inclusive and supportive learning environment where every pupil feels valued and able to succeed.

School

• A welcoming and well-resourced specialist primary school in the Atherton area of Wigan.
• Dedicated to supporting children with Autism and complex additional needs through personalised learning and therapeutic approaches.
• Provides a nurturing environment where pupils are encouraged to develop communication skills, independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
• Works closely with families and external agencies to ensure every child receives consistent support both in school and at home.
• Offers ongoing training and professional development for long-term staff.
• Free parking available on site.
• Easily accessible from Wigan, Leigh, Bolton and surrounding areas.

Benefits

• Excellent pay & working conditions.
• Dedicated consultant to support you throughout your placement.
• Opportunity to secure a permanent position with the school.
• Supportive leadership team who genuinely value their staff.
• Work alongside an experienced and welcoming SEND team.
• Safe, inclusive and rewarding working environment.
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference to children with Autism and complex needs.
• Gain valuable SEND experience and develop specialist skills to further your career.

Requirements

• CV with full education and employment history.
• Right to Work & Proof of Address in the UK.
• DBS certificate on the Update Service (or willingness to apply for one).
• Minimum of two professional references.
• Overseas Police Check if applicable.
• Experience supporting primary-aged children with Autism, complex learning needs, communication needs or other special educational needs is highly desirable.
• A patient, resilient and compassionate approach with a genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and will be offered work on successfully passing Cover People's compliance checks.