SEN Teaching Assistant (EYFS Experience Essential)

Randstad Education; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Education in Ipswich is seeking an enthusiastic SEN Teaching Assistant with confirmed EYFS experience to support children with complex needs across Nursery, Reception, and early years transitions. This role offers flexibility between day-to-day cover and longer-term placements within a network of specialist settings in Ipswich and East Suffolk.

You will deliver 1:1 and small-group support, use EYFS-aligned learning activities, and apply strategies such as PECS and Makaton to aid

Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on EYFS experience in Nursery or Reception settings.
• Past experience supporting children with SEN or complex needs.
• A Level 2 or Level 3 childcare/education qualification is highly desirable.
• Warm, resilient, patient personality with understanding of early childhood development.
• Willingness to support personal care needs as required by EHCPs.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one).

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 and small-group support to EYFS pupils with SEND.
• Collaborate with class teachers to deliver play-based, EYFS-aligned activities.
• Utilise communication aids (e.g., PECS, Makaton, visual schedules) for non-verbal children.
• Support emotional regulation and positive behaviour management using nurturing approaches.
• Assist with personal care tasks while maintaining pupil dignity and independence.
• Help create a safe, structured classroom environment for learning.

Skills

EYFS experience

SEN experience

Patience & empathy

Behaviour management

Education

Level 2/3 childcare/education qualification

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant (EYFS Experience Essential) - Ipswich & Surrounding Areas

Are you a patient, compassionate, and skilled Teaching Assistant with proven Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) experience looking to make a life-changing difference for young children with complex needs? Whether you are seeking the complete freedom and flexibility of day-to-day cover, or looking for the rewarding continuity and deep connection of a long-term position, we have fantastic opportunities tailored to your availability.

We are currently partnering with a welcoming network of specialist SEN schools, early development units, and primary inclusion provisions in Ipswich and across East Suffolk. We are experiencing high demand for empathetic Teaching Assistants who bring genuine EYFS expertise to support children across Nursery, Reception, and Early Years transition who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Whether you have worked in specialist SEN schools, mainstream early years settings supporting high-level needs, or have a background in paediatric care and early childhood support, having hands‑on experience with EYFS development is essential for this role.

Choose Your Ideal Way of Working:

• Day-to-Day Cover: Enjoy complete control over your working week with total flexibility. Choose the exact days you want to work to perfectly balance your personal commitments, family life, or studies while gaining varied experience across different SEN provisions in Ipswich.

• Long-Term Opportunities: For those seeking routine and the opportunity to build deep, trusting relationships with young children and staff teams, we offer long-term placements spanning a term or a full academic year. These roles allow you to closely support early developmental milestones and become a core part of a specialist school community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide dedicated 1:1 and small-group support to young children with needs such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN), Moderate/Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD), or physical and sensory requirements.

• Work closely with class teachers to deliver play-based, sensory-rich learning activities aligned with the EYFS framework, helping keep pupils focused, regulated, and safe.

• Utilise early communication strategies (such as PECS, Makaton, visual schedules, and concrete objects) to aid non-verbal or minimally verbal children.

• Assist with emotional regulation, sensory processing needs, and positive behaviour management using gentle, nurture-focused techniques.

• Support personal care duties where required (hygiene, toileting, changing, and mealtimes), maintaining student dignity, independence, and comfort at all times.

• Help create a safe, warm, and structured classroom environment where every child feels secure to explore and learn.

What We Look For:

• Essential: Direct, hands-on experience supporting children within an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) setting (Nursery or Reception).

• Previous experience supporting children with SEN or complex learning needs.

• A Level 2 or Level 3 childcare/education qualification (e.g., Cache Level 3 in Early Years or Supporting Teaching and Learning) is highly desirable.

• A warm, resilient, and patient personality with an intuitive understanding of early childhood development.

• Willingness and confidence to support personal care needs as required by individual EHCPs.

• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

Benefits of Working With Us:

• Competitive daily rates of pay, processed weekly and reflective of your specialist early years experience.

• A dedicated local consultant with deep knowledge of the specialist SEN and early years sectors in Ipswich and East Suffolk.

• Complete flexibility to set and update your availability on your own terms.

• Access to ongoing safeguarding and specialised SEN training opportunities.

• Direct pathways to securing long-term contracts or direct permanent employment in top local provisions.

Ready to bring your EYFS expertise to specialist education in Ipswich?

Step into rewarding SEN support opportunities today.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.