Send Support Assistant (Occupational Therapy Graduate) - Year 2

Protocol Education; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Protocol Education is working with a welcoming two-form entry primary school in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, to recruit an Occupational Therapy graduate to support a Year 2 class with SEND. You will help children develop independence, sensory regulation, and motor skills during the school day.

Work closely with the class teacher, SENCO, therapists and families to deliver personalised intervention programmes and strategies that promote engagement and inclusion.

Qualifications

• OT graduate with paediatric interests and SEND exposure.
• Interest in SEND, child development and inclusive education.
• Patient, creative and solution-focused approach to learning.
• Able to build positive relationships with children and staff.
• Experience through placements, volunteering or care work.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEND needs in a Year 2 classroom.
• Deliver sensory regulation strategies and movement breaks.
• Assist with fine and gross motor skill development.
• Support personalised intervention programmes.
• Collaborate with the class teacher, SENCO, therapists and families.
• Encourage communication, independence and participation in lessons.

Skills

Compassionate

Proactive

Relationship-building

Adaptability

Communication with children

Education

Occupational Therapy degree

Job description

Looking to build a career in Occupational Therapy, Paediatric Healthcare, SEND, or Child Development? This full-time school-based role could be the perfect stepping stone.

We're looking for a compassionate and proactive Occupational Therapy graduate to join a supportive primary school in Walker (NE6), working within a Year 2 classroom where there are high levels of SEND. You'll play a key role helping children develop independence, sensory regulation, motor skills, and engagement in learning throughout the school day.

Every day brings new challenges and rewards. We're looking for someone who can build positive relationships, adapt to individual needs, and genuinely enjoy helping children overcome barriers to learning.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting pupils with a range of SEND needs within a Year 2 classroom
• Delivering sensory regulation strategies and movement breaks
• Assisting children with fine and gross motor skill development
• Supporting personalised intervention programmes
• Working closely with the class teacher, SENCO, therapists, and families
• Encouraging communication, independence, and participation in lessons

This role could be perfect if you are:

• An Occupational Therapy graduate seeking practical experience
• Interested in paediatric therapy, SEND, education, or child development
• Patient, creative, and solution-focused
• Confident building positive relationships with children and staff
• Passionate about inclusive education
• Experienced in supporting children through placements, volunteering, care work, or coaching

About the school

This welcoming two-form entry primary school serves the Walker community and has developed an excellent reputation for its inclusive approach. The school has recently invested in specialist sensory resources, intervention spaces, and outdoor learning facilities. Staff work collaboratively to ensure every child receives the support they need to succeed academically and socially. The school benefits from strong leadership, excellent staff wellbeing initiatives, and onsite parking.

What you'll gain

You'll gain valuable experience supporting children with additional needs, working alongside education and therapy professionals, and developing skills directly transferable to Occupational Therapy careers, postgraduate study, and wider healthcare professions.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

SEND Support Assistant (Occupational Therapy Graduate) - Year 2 • Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England