SEND Teaching Assistant

LEEDS CITY COUNCIL; Austhorpe; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Cross Gates Primary School is partnering with EAIP to deliver a commissioned service for pupils from schools within the East of Leeds. The SEND Teaching Assistant role focuses on supporting a small group of children with speech, language and SEMH needs through targeted interventions.

Under the direction of the SENDCO and the Speech and Language HLTA, you will help deliver therapeutic activities, monitor progress, and contribute to a tailored curriculum in a UK term-time setting.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children with complex speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience supporting learners with SEMH needs.
• Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of the interventions to help a small group of children thrive.
• Work under the SENDCO and HLTA to assist therapeutic sessions.

Skills

Experience with speech language needs

Experience with SEMH needs

Job description

Job title and organisation: SEND Teaching Assistant - Cross Gates Primary School (The Nest)

Salary: £18,123 - £19,380

Hours: 32.5 (term time only)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Cross Gates Primary School

Closing Date and Time: Friday 9th October 2026

To start as soon as possible.

Cross Gates Primary is delighted to be working in partnership with the East Area Inclusion Partnership (EAIP) to offer a commissioned service to pupils from other primary schools within the East of Leeds.

In January 2025, we launched a therapeutic intervention for children aged 3-5 whose primary need are Speech, Language and Communication and Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH). Our therapeutic intervention space offers a tailored curriculum and bespoke learning packages with a range of approaches and strategies to support some of the most vulnerable learners.

We are looking for someone who, under the direction of the SENDCO and the Speech and Language HLTA based at Cross Gates Primary, will support on the delivery of the interventions needed to ensure the small group of children thrive. Experience of working with children with complex speech, language and communication and SEMH needs are essential for this unique role, alongside a caring attitude and resilient approach to supporting their needs whilst tackling their barriers to learning. An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is desirable.

Cross Gates Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.

Further details are available upon request and visits to the school are welcome. Please contact school on 0113 2645763 should you wish to have a tour.

Closing date for applications is Friday 9 th October 2026

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 15 th October 2026

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation.