Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant

Tradewind Recruitment; Desborough; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD support

Temp-to-perm opportunity

Supportive team

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking a dedicated Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant for a residential education setting in Kettering, starting September 2026. The role involves supporting five secondary students with Severe Learning Difficulties in a small, attach-to-residential home environment, within a collaborative team that includes an HLTA and another TA.

The successful candidate will work within a highly personalised curriculum, emphasising sensitivity-based learning and communication

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people with SEN.
• Confident supporting students with Severe Learning Difficulties.
• Calm, nurturing approach to behaviour management.
• Willing to support students who may become dysregulated.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored support to students with SEN in a small residential setting.
• Assist with accessing activities using PECS, Makaton or visual communication.
• Support students to develop academic, social and emotional skills.
• Maintain a safe, structured environment and positive behaviour approaches.
• Contribute to individual education plans and progress tracking.

Skills

SEN experience

SLD support

Behaviour management

Dysregulated support

Team collaboration

Student potential

Job description

Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant - Residential Education Setting (Kettering)

Tradewind Recruitment is currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant to join one of our specialist partner provisions in Kettering from September 2026.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a small educational setting attached to a residential home, supporting a group of secondary-aged students with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). The provision offers a highly personalised approach to education, creating a safe and structured environment where students can develop academically, socially and emotionally.

The class currently consists of five students, supported by a collaborative team that includes a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and another experienced Teaching Assistant. Due to the complex needs of the students, we're looking for an individual who is patient, resilient and passionate about making a positive difference.

The curriculum is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student and focuses heavily on sensitivity-based learning and communication development. Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting students to access activities through alternative communication methods, including PECS, Makaton and visual communication strategies.

The successful candidate will:

• Have previous experience working with children or young people with SEN
• Be confident supporting students with Severe Learning Difficulties
• Have a calm and nurturing approach to behaviour management
• Be willing to support students who may become dysregulated
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Be committed to helping students achieve their full potential

This position is being offered on a 12-week temp-to-perm basis, providing an excellent opportunity for someone looking to secure a long-term role within a specialist setting.

In return, Tradewind Recruitment offers ongoing support, access to high-quality CPD through the National College and the opportunity to work with one of the UK's leading education recruitment agencies.