SEN Teaching Assistant

Long-term Teachers Ltd; Tavistock; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provision is seeking a compassionate Teaching Assistant to support students with SEMH and autism. This full-time, permanent role is based in Tavistock and involves working closely with students to promote independence, self-regulation, and emotional well-being in a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates will have relevant teaching assistant qualifications and experience working with children with additional needs.

Benefits

Guarantee Pay Scheme opportunities

Support and advice during the clearance process

Interview preparation and support

Statutory employment rights

Qualifications

• Previous experience with children with SEMH and/or ASD.
• Relevant qualifications desirable, such as Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant.
• Willingness to undergo further training in autism awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support tailored to individual needs.
• Support delivery of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs).
• Assist students in building social skills and emotional resilience.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant Certification

CACHE Certification

NVQ in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Job description

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Role: Teaching Assistant (Specialist SEN Provision)

Location: Tavistock

Start: September 2025

Contract: Full time, permanent

A unique opportunity has arisen for a compassionate and proactive Teaching Assistant to join a brand new, purpose-built educational provision in Tavistock, Devon. This new setting has been carefully designed to support children and young people with emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and autism, providing a nurturing and structured environment for pupils who may have previously found mainstream education challenging.

The school will initially open its Tavistock site, eventually expanding to a second location in Ivybridge. The Tavistock site will support pupils from Year 3 to Year 11, with a maximum capacity of 30 students - all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The Role:

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with students who present Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Your role will be crucial in helping young people to develop not only academically, but emotionally and socially - promoting independence and self-regulation within a supportive, trauma-informed environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide 1:1 and small group support tailored to individual learning and behavioural needs
• Support in the delivery of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs)
• Assist students in building social skills, emotional resilience and self-regulation techniques.
• Collaborate with teaching staff, therapists and other professionals to deliver a holistic approach
• Help manage behaviour positively and consistently using therapeutic strategies
• Support personal care and wellbeing when required
• Promote a positive, inclusive and respectful learning environment

Ideal Candidate:

• Previous experience working with children with SEMH and/or ASD (in education or care settings)
• Relevant qualifications (e.g Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant, CACHE, NVQ in Supporting Teaching and Learning) are desirable
• Patient, empathetic and emotionally resilient
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills
• A genuine passion for supporting young people with additional needs
• Willingness to undergo further training in areas such as autism awareness or behaviour support

Working with Long-term Teachers:

We are an independent agency working with Nurseries, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.

LTT was founded with the aim of creating a genuine, transparent and straightforward service to help candidates secure their next role. We place a huge emphasis on delivering an exceptional service where you will be supported, listened to and valued throughout.

Your dedicated consultant will invest time to understand your experience, skill-set and what your ideal role looks like. You will have frequent updates with your progress through compliance, applications for specific roles as well as receiving additional information on roles which we feel may be of interest to you.

We are proud members of the REC and we have the highest standard of compliance. Working with us means you will get the very best support and guidance through the clearance process from your own specific point of contact from our in-house compliance team.

In addition you will receive:

• Guarantee Pay Scheme opportunities
• Permanent job roles
• Support and advice during the clearance and onboarding process
• Working to Agency Workers Regulations
• Interview preparation, advice and support
• Statutory employment rights, such as; sick pay, holiday pay, maternity and paternity pay