SEN Support Worker / Teaching Assistant

TeacherActive Limited.; Essex; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate start

Long-term opportunity

Paid trial days

Term-time work

Job summary

TeacherActive Limited is recruiting an experienced SEND Learning Support Assistant to support children and young people with complex SEND at a specialist school and college in Chelmsford.

The role requires extensive hands-on SEND experience, with 1:1 and small-group support, personal care where required, and collaboration with teachers and therapists.

This is a full-time, long-term position with immediate start, term-time hours, and competitive daily rates dependent on experience.

Qualifications

• Extensive SEND experience is essential.
• Experience supporting pupils with complex needs and challenging behaviour.
• Ability to provide personal care and physical support when required.
• Experience working in specialist SEND settings is preferred.
• Calm, patient, and resilient with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with complex SEND.
• Assist with personal care including toileting, dressing and feeding as needed.
• Support moving and handling and de-escalate challenging situations.
• Work with teachers, therapists and support staff to implement individual plans.
• Help pupils access learning activities and promote independence.

Skills

SEND experience

Job description

Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Job Type: Full-Time | Long-Term Opportunity
Hours: Monday – Friday | School Hours
Start Date: ASAP
Experience: EXTENSIVE SEND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL
Pay: Competitive Daily Rates – Dependent on Experience

Are you an experienced SEND Support Worker or Learning Support Assistant looking for your next challenge? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

TeacherActive is recruiting a highly experienced SEND Learning Support Assistant / Support Worker to join a fantastic specialist school and college in Chelmsford, supporting children and young people aged 3–19 with complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This position requires someone with significant hands‑on SEND experience who is confident supporting pupils with complex needs, challenging behaviour and personal care requirements.

We're looking for someone who can hit the ground running, build positive relationships with pupils and become a reliable member of an experienced SEND team.

Why should you apply?

• IMMEDIATE START! An excellent opportunity for an experienced SEND professional available now.
• LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY! Build strong relationships with pupils and become part of a supportive school team.
• SPECIALIST SEND SETTING! Work with children and young people who genuinely benefit from your experience and support.
• COMPETITIVE RATES OF PAY! Rates discussed based on your experience and suitability.
• PAID TRIAL DAYS AVAILABLE! Meet the team and experience the school before committing to a longer-term position.
• TERM-TIME WORK! Enjoy working around the school calendar.
• REWARDING ROLE! Make a real difference to pupils with complex additional needs.

What will you be doing?

As a SEND Learning Support Assistant, you'll be supporting pupils with a range of complex needs, including:

• Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)
• Complex communication and sensory needs
• Physical disabilities and mobility difficulties
• Behaviours that challenge
• Personal care and additional physical support needs

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with complex SEND.
• Supporting pupils with personal care, including toileting, dressing and feeding where required.
• Assisting with moving and handling in accordance with training and individual care plans.
• Managing and de-escalating challenging situations using positive behaviour support strategies.
• Supporting non-verbal pupils and those who use alternative communication methods.
• Helping pupils access sensory activities and individualised learning programmes.
• Encouraging independence, communication and emotional development.
• Working closely with teachers, therapists and other specialist support staff.

Who are we looking for?

Previous SEND experience is ESSENTIAL for this position.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Extensive experience supporting children or young people with SEND.
• Previous experience working in specialist SEND schools, residential care or complex-needs settings.
• Strong understanding of SLD, PMLD, Autism and complex additional needs.
• Confidence supporting pupils who display challenging behaviour.
• Experience providing personal care and physical support.
• Knowledge of positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies.
• Experience with moving and handling, hoisting or specialist equipment.
• A calm, patient and resilient approach.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships.
• The confidence to work independently while following school policies and individual support plans.
• This role would particularly suit an experienced SEND Teaching Assistant, SEN Support Worker, Residential Support Worker or Complex Needs Care Assistant looking to work in education.

About TeacherActive

TeacherActive is one of the UK’s leading education recruitment agencies, with over 20 years of experience supporting schools and education professionals. We place teachers and support staff into a wide range of temporary, contract and permanent roles, helping candidates find rewarding opportunities that suit their experience, availability and career goals. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to both our schools and candidates.

TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency in providing temporary, contract and permanent job seeking services.

Safeguarding and DBS Compliance

TeacherActive is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safeguarding is central to our recruitment practices, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All applicants are subject to thorough vetting and safer recruitment checks before being cleared to work.

All applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. TeacherActive is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Register with TeacherActive or learn more about our services.