SEN Teaching Assistant - 1:1 / 2:1 Behaviour & Inclusion

Tradewind Recruitment LTD.; Preston; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment LTD. is seeking an SEN Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 and 2:1 SEMH / complex behaviour support in Preston and South Ribble. The role is full-time with immediate starts and a potential temporary-to-permanent pathway.

Qualified or unqualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Backgrounds in TA, youth work, care, coaching, psychology or residential support are welcomed, with de-escalation and safeguarding training potentially provided.

Qualifications

• Qualified or unqualified candidates welcome, with suitable transferable experience.
• Ability to de-escalate and co-regulate complex behaviour in pupils.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEMH, ASC, PDA or related needs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• De-escalation & Co-Regulation: recognise triggers and use low-arousal methods to defuse incidents.
• Curriculum Adaptation: break tasks into manageable chunks to build confidence.
• Positive Re-Direction: facilitate sensory breaks and calm-regulation strategies.
• Restorative Support: encourage healthy social interactions and resilience.
• Pastoral Record Keeping: monitor and log progress using school systems.

Skills

Grounded presence

Non-defensive communication

Consistency

Genuine empathy

Education

Level 2/3 TA qualification

HLTA

Early Years certification

Relevant degree (Education/Psychology/Criminology/Childhood Studies)

Job description

Job Title: SEN Teaching Assistant (1:1 & 2:1 SEMH / Complex Behaviour Support)

Location: Preston & South Ribble, Lancashire (PR1 / PR2 / PR5)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Temporary-to-Permanent (Immediate & Term Starts Available)

Status: Qualified or Unqualified welcome to apply

Step Into a High-Impact 1:1 or 2:1 Classroom Support Role

Are you passionate about making an immediate difference for a child who struggles in a standard classroom? Do you have the patience, firm boundaries, and emotional resilience to help a dysregulated learner find calm and focus?

We are recruiting dedicated SEN Behaviour Support Assistants to provide targeted 1:1 and 2:1 pastoral support for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across primary and secondary settings in Preston.

Qualified and Unqualified candidates are equally encouraged to apply. Whether you hold a Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant qualification, or bring real-world transferable experience from youth work, care, sports coaching, psychology, or residential support, your ability to build trust and co-regulate complex behaviour is what matters most.

The Role: What is 1:1 and 2:1 EHCP Support?

1:1 Support: Acting as the dedicated key support worker for a specific pupil whose EHCP identifies Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, ADHD, ASC (Autism), or Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

2:1 Provision: Partnering with an experienced colleague to provide a high-nurture, dual-practitioner support framework for a student requiring heightened supervision, physical safety management, and co-regulation throughout the school day.

Core Responsibilities

• De-Escalation & Co-Regulation: Recognise early behavioral triggers, anxiety spikes, and sensory overload; use low-arousal techniques to defuse crisis situations safely.
• Curriculum Adaptation: Break down lesson tasks set by the class teacher into bite-sized, manageable chunks to build confidence and prevent task-avoidance behaviour.
• Positive Re-Direction: Facilitate sensory breaks, gross-motor movement intervals, and calm-corner regulation strategies.
• Restorative Support: Encourage positive social interactions with peers in the playground and classroom, fostering resilience and independence.
• Pastoral Record Keeping: Monitor and log daily progress, emotional baselines, and behavioral incidents using school management systems (e.g., CPOMS).

Who We Are Looking For

Option A - Qualified:

• Level 2 or 3 TA qualification, HLTA, Early Years certification, or a relevant degree (Education, Psychology, Criminology, Childhood Studies).

Option B - Unqualified / Practical Experience:

• No formal TA papers needed if you have hands-on experience supporting young people-ideal backgrounds include:Children's residential care (RSW) or adult social careYouth work, community mentoring, or sports coachingSpecial needs family caregiving / personal experience

Key Attributes:

Grounded presence, non-defensive communication, consistency, and genuine empathy.

De-Escalation Training:

Team-Teach, MAPA/CPI, or PRICE certificates are advantageous (accredited de-escalation training support provided).

Safeguarding:

An Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the DBS Update Service (or willingness to complete one).

What We Offer

• Temp-to-Perm Pathway: A smooth 12-week agency transition offering an immediate trial with guaranteed conversion to a permanent school contract for the right candidate.
• Dedicated Local Support: Local consultant support based in Lancashire, working alongside accredited Preston schools.