Secondary SEND Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational support organization is seeking a full-time Secondary SEND Teaching Assistant in Sunderland. The role involves supporting autistic pupils and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs. You will manage tailored learning plans, using trauma-informed approaches, while encouraging students to build their confidence. Suitable candidates will have experience in SEND or youth work, and the ability to stay calm in challenging situations. A meaningful opportunity in a supportive educational environment.

Benefits

Weekly PAYE pay

FREE Thrive training

FREE SEND & SEMH CPD

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic pupils and young people with social, emotional, or mental health needs.
• A calm demeanor that supports effective learning.
• Ability to implement tailored learning plans.

Responsibilities

• Support KS3/KS4 pupils with tailored learning plans.
• Help young people manage anxiety, transitions, and sensory needs.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and restorative conversations.
• Encourage small successes that build confidence.
• Collaborate closely with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff.

Skills

Experience in SEND, SEMH or youth work

Patience and predictability in difficult moments

Understanding that behaviour is communication

Ability to help young people rebuild trust in education

Job description

Secondary SEND Teaching Assistant – Sunderland (Autism & SEMH)

Pay: £89 to £110 per day
Start: ASAP
Contract: Long-term, full-time

If you’re the kind of person who brings calm where others bring chaos, this role will suit you beautifully.

We’re supporting a specialist secondary setting in Sunderland that works with autistic pupils and young people with social, emotional or mental health needs. The team creates safe routines, builds strong relationships and celebrates every step forward, no matter how small.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting KS3/KS4 pupils with tailored learning plans
• Helping young people manage anxiety, transitions and sensory needs
• Using trauma-informed approaches and restorative conversations
• Encouraging small successes that build confidence
• Working closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral staff

You’re brilliant if you

• Have experience in SEND, SEMH or youth work
• Stay patient, steady and predictable even in difficult moments
• Believe that behaviour is communication
• Love helping young people rebuild trust in education

What you get with Protocol

• Weekly PAYE pay
• FREE Thrive training
• FREE SEND & SEMH CPD

A meaningful role in a school where relationships come first.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.