SEN Teaching Assistant — Guildford

Sense Learning Limited; Guildford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Flexible hours

Self-employed status

Home and community sessions

DBS support and references

Job summary

SENse Learning is seeking a dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to support learners with SEND in homes and community settings across the UK. You will deliver holistic, interest-based sessions tailored to each individual, building confidence and essential life skills alongside education.

The role offers flexible hours and a self-employed status, with DBS support and strong team backing. Experience in relevant care or education roles is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Experience with children or young people with complex needs (2+ years).
• Ability to work in homes and community settings with a child-centred approach.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practices and safeguarding.
• DBS enhancement and provide references when required.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong, positive relationships with children and young people.
• Provide one-to-one support in homes and community settings with creative activities.
• Support development of life skills, confidence and independence.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and flexible strategies for diverse needs.
• Provide feedback to track progress and adapt support as needed.

Skills

Child-centred approach

Trauma-informed practice

Emotional regulation

Life skills development

Relationship building

Job description

You can make a difference, support creatively, and work within a more fulfilling and rewarding career - SENse Learning is offering a unique opportunity for passionate mentors to make a real impact!

What makes this SEN Teaching Assistant role right for you:

Imagine a role where you can deliver support to a young person, in a way that works for them. Not based in the classroom, but in students' homes and out in the community, delivering interest-based, holistic sessions of learning set to the needs of the individual.

Mentoring is not limited to academic subjects; it is about building confidence, encouraging emotional regulation, and supporting the development of key life skills alongside education.

The benefits we offer our SEN Teaching Assistant:

• Competitive pay: £18 - £23 per hour
• Flexible working: Craft your own schedule with in-person, hybrid, and community-based support opportunities, agreeing session times with parents, carers, or schools
• Flexible hours: Flexible part-time up to full-time hours, arranged in consultation with clients and schools to suit your schedule
• Meaningful work: Support young people who are often excluded or disengaged from traditional education
• Pastoral and Pathways Support: SENse Learning keeps a team around you and the child
• Community and Company Events: Knowledge sharing and resources
• Referral Programme: Get rewarded for successful tutor referrals

At SENse Learning, you will join a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to forward-thinking approaches to supporting SEND Learners; be part of a team that believes in shaping a brighter future for every student.

SEN Teaching Assistant role requirements:

Experience: At least 2 years of experience working with children or young people with complex additional needs (e.g. ASC, ADHD, SEMH, EBSA, trauma, PDA, mental health)

Background: Ideal for Support Workers, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), Higher-Level TAs, Youth Workers, Personal Assistants (PAs), or those with other relevant care or education backgrounds

Approach: Understanding of how to work in a child-centred, holistic way; you will have the ingenuity and creativity to make the curriculum work in an individual, student-centred way

Compliance: Enhanced DBS (we can facilitate this if needed) and 2+ professional references

Location: You must be based in the UK with the right to work in the UK, even for remote / online jobs

Safeguarding: Knowledge of safeguarding and creating a safe learning environment

The SEN Teaching Assistant role and responsibilities:

• Develop strong, positive relationships with children and young people who may have faced significant challenges in previous education settings
• Provide one-to-one support in homes and community settings, delivering creative and interest-based activities
• Support the development of life skills, confidence, and independence.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and flexible strategies to support a wide range of additional needs.
• Understand the importance of emotional regulation and implement strategies to model and encourage this.
• Provide feedback and reflections to track progress and adapt support where needed.

At SENse Learning, we are on a mission to raise the standard of education for young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), as well as those with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs. We are increasingly supporting children and young people with MLD (Moderate Learning Difficulties), SLD (Severe Learning Difficulties), and PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties). We passionately believe in the transformative power of education, and through bespoke, one-to-one lessons, our dedicated team makes a positive impact on students’ lives every day. Join us and be part of our mission!

We welcome mentors from all backgrounds - our learners come from diverse communities and our organisation must reflect and represent their experiences

SEN Teaching Assistant employment status:

This position involves engaging with us as a self-employed mentor

We provide guidance / signposting on accessing resources to register as self-employed if you are not registered already

This is not a PAYE position

Relevant Job Titles / Previous Experience:

Individuals with highly relevant experience from teaching background often have worked in the following roles:

• SENDCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator)
• SLD / MLD Teacher
• Autism / ADHD Support Teacher
• Intervention Specialist / Teacher / Tutor
• Ex-Teacher

Other highly relevant roles from therapeutic and learning support background include:

• Learning Support Assistant (LSA) / Teaching Assistant (TA)
• Educational Therapist
• Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)
• Educational Psychologist (EP)
• Inclusion Coordinator

If you hold one of these roles, meet our requirements, and are considering a career change please do consider applying with us.

Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every applicant. We aim to respond to all successful applicants within two weeks.