SEN - Sen Teaching Assistant

Tower Hamlets Council; Greater London, Dover; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Tower Hamlets Council is seeking a skilled Makaton Specialist Teaching Assistant to support pupils who are non-verbal across primary and secondary settings. You will help pupils communicate their needs and participate in lessons and school life using Makaton alongside AAC methods.

Working with teachers, SENCOs and therapists, you will adapt resources, promote inclusion, and model signing to foster a signing-friendly community within Tower Hamlets schools.

Qualifications

• Experience with other AAC systems such as PECS, Widgit symbols or eye-gaze devices.
• Teaching assistant qualification (Level 2 or 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning).
• Experience in both primary and secondary settings.
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and EHCPs.
• Skills in another community language spoken in Tower Hamlets.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to non-verbal pupils, using Makaton signs and symbols throughout the school day
• Help pupils access the curriculum, in lessons, at break and lunch, and on trips
• Work with teachers and SENCOs to adapt resources and activities, including visual timetables, symbol boards and communication books
• Follow and contribute to EHCP targets and communication plans, and carry out programmes set by speech and language therapists
• Model Makaton and encourage peers and staff to use it, helping build a signing-friendly school community

Skills

Makaton signing

AAC knowledge

Team collaboration

Adapt resources

Inclusive classrooms

Education

Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant qualification

Tools

PECS

Widgit symbols

Eye-gaze devices

Voice output devices

Job description

Every child deserves a voice. We are looking for a skilled, compassionate Makaton Specialist Teaching Assistant to support pupils who are non-verbal or have limited speech across primary and secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. You will help pupils communicate their needs, choices, thoughts and personality so they can take part fully in school life, learning and friendships. Working with teachers, SENCOs, speech and language therapists and families, you will use Makaton alongside symbols, gesture, communication aids and other augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) approaches. Tower Hamlets is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, and our pupils come from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds. You will help create inclusive classrooms where every form of communication is valued.

Key responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to non-verbal pupils, using Makaton signs and symbols throughout the school day
• Help pupils access the curriculum, in lessons, at break and lunch, and on trips
• Work with teachers and SENCOs to adapt resources and activities, including visual timetables, symbol boards and communication books
• Follow and contribute to EHCP targets and communication plans, and carry out programmes set by speech and language therapists
• Model Makaton and encourage peers and staff to use it, helping build a signing-friendly school community

Makaton training

• Experience with other AAC systems, such as PECS, Widgit symbols or eye-gaze and voice output devices
• Teaching assistant qualification (Level 2 or 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning)
• Experience in both primary and secondary settings
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and EHCPs
• Skills in another community language spoken in Tower Hamlets