SEN Support Practitioner - Creative & Sports Graduates

Veritas Education Recruitment; Bradford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Veritas Education Recruitment is seeking enthusiastic graduates in Music, Performing Arts, Drama, Dance, Sports or Creative Arts to work as SEN Support Practitioners in specialist schools and mainstream settings supporting pupils aged 4-19 with diverse needs.

No QTS required; bring creativity, resilience and a passion for helping children. Training and DBS support available.

Qualifications

• Degree, qualification or significant experience in Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Creative Arts or related field.
• Ability to connect with children and young people using creative approaches.

Responsibilities

• Creative Learning - use music, drama, dance, sport and other activities to engage pupils.
• Life Skills - help pupils develop independence and practical skills.
• Social Skills - support communication, teamwork and confidence.
• Emotional Regulation - support emotions through creative activities.
• Sensory Support - plan sensory-based activities and movement sessions.
• Building Relationships - develop positive relationships with pupils.
• Positive Behaviour Support - use de-escalation strategies when needed.

Skills

Music

Drama

Dance

Sports

Creative Arts

Outdoor Education

Education

Degree in Music/Performing Arts/Sport/Creative Arts or related field

Job description

Job Title: SEN Support Practitioner - Creative & Sports Graduates

The Role:

Are you a Music, Performing Arts, Drama, Dance, Sports or Creative Arts graduate looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference to children and young people?

We are looking for enthusiastic and creative individuals to work as SEN Support Practitioners within specialist schools, alternative provisions and mainstream settings supporting pupils aged 4-19 years with a range of Special Educational Needs.

This is an opportunity to use your unique skills and interests to support children who may struggle to engage with traditional classroom-based learning. Whether it's using music, drama, movement, sport, dance, art or creative activities, you will help pupils develop essential life skills, communication, social skills, emotional regulation and independence in engaging and meaningful ways.

You don't need to be a qualified teacher. We are looking for people with the right personality, creativity, resilience and passion for working with children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Learning - Use music, drama, dance, sport and other creative activities to engage pupils and encourage learning in alternative and exciting ways.
• Life Skills - Support pupils to develop independence and practical life skills, including communication, personal hygiene, organisation, safety and self-care.
• Social Skills - Help pupils develop friendships, communication, turn-taking, teamwork, confidence and appropriate social interactions.
• Emotional Regulation - Support pupils to recognise and manage their emotions through creative therapeutic activities, movement, music, sensory strategies and positive relationships.
• Sensory Support - Plan and deliver sensory-based activities, movement sessions, sensory circuits and regulation opportunities suited to individual needs.
• Music & Performing Arts - Use rhythm, music, drama, singing, role play and performance to develop communication, confidence, self-expression and emotional wellbeing.
• Sport & Physical Activity - Use sport, games, exercise and movement to develop physical skills, teamwork, confidence, coordination and emotional regulation.
• Building Relationships - Develop positive, trusting relationships with pupils, particularly those who may have experienced challenges within traditional educational environments.
• Positive Behaviour Support - Use positive reinforcement, clear boundaries and de-escalation strategies to support pupils when they are experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties.
• Communication Support - Encourage pupils to express themselves through verbal and non-verbal communication, visuals, movement, music and other creative approaches.
• Teamwork - Work alongside teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, therapists and other professionals to provide consistent support for individual pupils.
• Encouraging Independence - Gradually encourage pupils to take ownership of tasks and develop confidence in making choices and completing activities independently.
• Enrichment & Activities - Organise and participate in workshops, performances, sports activities, creative projects, trips and other experiences that broaden pupils' opportunities.

Who We're Looking For:

• Music
• Drama
• Dance
• Sports
• Creative Arts
• Fine Art & Design
• Outdoor Education

You do not need QTS or previous teaching experience. What matters is your ability to connect with children and young people and use your own skills creatively to help them develop.

Requirements:

• A degree, qualification or significant experience in Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Creative Arts or a related field.
• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with additional needs.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Patience, empathy and emotional resilience.
• Ability to remain calm and consistent when supporting challenging behaviour or emotional dysregulation.
• Creative thinking and the confidence to use your own skills to engage pupils.
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to learn about SEN, safeguarding, behaviour support and sensory regulation.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is mandatory. (We can help advise on this.)
• SEN experience is desirable but not essential - we value transferable skills, personality and potential.

You must have legal right to work in the UK.

You must be willing to attend a registration interview.

'Nothing within the above advert was in any way designed or intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

Veritas Education is an Equal opportunities employer and is proud in the knowledge that all placements are made on merit and suitability.

We accept applications from all sections of the community