SEND Practitioner

GUARDIAN SELECTION LIMITED; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

GSL Education is seeking an Early Years Practitioner to support children with SEND in a specialist environment in Scarborough. You will work alongside the class teacher and support team to deliver developmentally appropriate EY activities and help children build communication, language, social and emotional skills.

The role requires a patient, caring approach, strong teamwork and excellent communication. An Enhanced DBS is required or willing to apply through GSL Education; eligibility to work

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people.
• Patient, caring and nurturing approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn and adapt your approach to individual children.
• Willingness to support personal care where required.
• An Early Years, Childcare, Teaching Assistant or SEND-related qualification is desirable but not essential where relevant experience can be demonstrated.
• Enhanced DBS, either on the Update Service or through GSL Education, and the right to work in the UK with references.

Responsibilities

• Support children with learning and development within a nurturing specialist environment.
• Work alongside the class teacher and wider support team.
• Develop children’s communication, language, social and emotional skills.
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive relationships.
• Adapt activities and resources to meet individual needs.
• Monitor progress and support individual learning targets.

Skills

SLCN experience

MLD experience

SLD experience

Teamwork

Communication skills

Job description

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Early Years Practitioner – SEND
Location: Scarborough
Start Date: September 2026
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

About the School

The school provides a highly supportive and personalised learning environment for children and young people with a range of additional needs. The Early Years provision supports pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD).

The school places a strong emphasis on communication, independence, emotional development and building confidence, with staff working closely together to ensure every child receives the individual support they need.

About the Role

As an Early Years Practitioner, you will support children with their learning and development within a nurturing and engaging specialist environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting children with SLCN, MLD and SLD.
• Working alongside the class teacher and wider support team.
• Supporting engaging and developmentally appropriate Early Years activities.
• Developing children’s communication, language, social and emotional skills.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive relationships.
• Adapting activities and resources to meet individual needs.
• Supporting positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Building strong and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Monitoring progress and supporting individual learning targets.
• Supporting personal care and day-to-day needs where required.
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive and positive classroom environment.

What We’re Looking For

We are keen to hear from Early Years Practitioners, Nursery Nurses, Teaching Assistants, Childcare Practitioners and SEND Support Workers with relevant experience.

You do not necessarily need specialist SEND experience. Previous experience working with children or young people in Early Years, education, childcare, SEND or a similar setting is important, alongside a genuine passion for helping children develop and succeed.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with children or young people.
• A patient, caring and nurturing approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• A willingness to learn and adapt your approach to individual children.
• A willingness to support personal care where required.
• An Early Years, Childcare, Teaching Assistant or SEND-related qualification is desirable but not essential where relevant experience can be demonstrated.

You will also need an Enhanced DBS, either on the Update Service or with a willingness to apply through GSL Education, along with the right to work in the UK and suitable references.

Why Apply?

• Full-time Early Years SEND opportunity in Scarborough.
• Gain valuable experience supporting children with additional needs.
• Supportive and experienced school team.
• Opportunity to develop your SEND and Early Years experience.
• Make a genuine difference to children’s learning, confidence and independence.
• Ongoing support from your dedicated GSL Education consultant.

Whether you are an experienced Early Years Practitioner or a Teaching Assistant looking to move into a specialist SEND setting, we would love to hear from you.

GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references, in line with current safeguarding requirements.