SEND Teaching Assistant

Connex Education Partnership; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible assignments

Professional development access

Wellbeing support

Guidance from local team

Guaranteed work agreements

Opportunities across academic year

Job summary

Connex Education Partnership is seeking SEND Teaching Assistants to support pupils in Sheffield and surrounding areas. Roles include working with pupils with additional needs in specialist SEND schools and mainstream settings, with flexible assignments and a focus on inclusion and wellbeing.

We offer competitive weekly pay (£475–£550 PAYE), professional development through the Connex Education SEND Toolkit, wellbeing support, and dedicated local guidance.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH or additional learning needs.
• Background in education, care, residential support, youth work or similar child-focused setting.
• Calm, patient and compassionate approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and follow guidance from teaching staff.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Right to Work in the UK.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply for one through Connex Education.

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH and additional learning needs.
• Providing tailored one-to-one and small-group support during lessons and interventions.
• Working collaboratively with teachers and school staff to support learning and development.
• Encouraging pupils to build independence, confidence and positive relationships.
• Following individual support plans, learning strategies and behaviour management approaches.
• Helping create a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment.
• Supporting pupils’ social, emotional and communication development.
• Promoting positive behaviour and following school safeguarding procedures.
• Building appropriate, professional relationships with pupils and colleagues.

Skills

Patience

Empathy

Practical skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Job description

SEND Teaching Assistant | Sheffield

Location: Sheffield and surrounding areas
Pay: £475–£550 per week PAYE
Contract: Full-time and part-time supply, long-term and permanent opportunities

Make a Difference as a SEND Teaching Assistant in Sheffield

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs? Do you have experience in education, care, residential support or youth work and want to make a meaningful difference in a school environment?

Connex Education is recruiting caring, patient and adaptable SEND Teaching Assistants to support pupils in specialist SEND schools and mainstream settings across Sheffield.

These opportunities involve helping children and young people overcome barriers to learning, develop their independence and build confidence. With a range of flexible assignments available, you could find a role that suits your experience, availability and career goals.

Immediate and September 2026 starts were included in the original vacancy details; please confirm these dates are still applicable before publishing.

What Connex Education Offers

We want to support you throughout your education career, providing competitive pay, professional development and guidance from a dedicated team.

Benefits include:

• £475–£550 per week PAYE, with no umbrella company deductions.

• Flexible assignments to suit your availability and lifestyle.

• Professional development through free access to the Connex Education SEND Toolkit, featuring over 24 CPD courses.

• Wellbeing support and practical classroom refresher training.

• Dedicated guidance from your local Connex Education team.

• Opportunities throughout the academic year, subject to school requirements.

• Guaranteed Work Agreements available for eligible candidates, offering greater consistency and security where applicable.

SEND Opportunities Across Sheffield

We work with specialist SEND schools and mainstream schools with dedicated SEND provision across Sheffield and the surrounding areas.

Depending on your experience and availability, opportunities may include:

• Full-time and part-time Teaching Assistant positions.

• Day-to-day supply and short-term assignments.

• Longer-term placements supporting pupils with additional needs.

• Opportunities to gain experience across different SEND settings.

• Supportive school environments focused on inclusion, wellbeing and positive outcomes.

• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress within education.

The needs of pupils and the responsibilities of each assignment will vary between schools. We’ll work with you to identify opportunities suited to your experience and strengths.

About the Role

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll play an important role in helping pupils access education, develop essential skills and achieve their individual goals.

You’ll work alongside teachers and other professionals to provide tailored support, helping children and young people feel safe, included and encouraged to participate in learning.

Pupils may have a range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

A calm, patient and flexible approach is essential. You’ll need to recognise that every pupil is different and adapt your support to help them develop confidence, communication skills and independence.

Your Key Responsibilities

Depending on the school and assignment, your duties may include:

• Supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH and additional learning needs.

• Providing tailored one-to-one and small-group support during lessons and interventions.

• Working collaboratively with teachers and school staff to support learning and development.

• Encouraging pupils to build independence, confidence and positive relationships.

• Following individual support plans, learning strategies and behaviour management approaches.

• Helping create a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment.

• Supporting pupils’ social, emotional and communication development.

• Promoting positive behaviour and following school safeguarding procedures.

• Building appropriate, professional relationships with pupils and colleagues.

What We’re Looking For

We’re interested in candidates who can demonstrate the patience, empathy and practical skills needed to support children and young people with additional needs.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH or additional learning needs.

• A background in education, care, residential support, youth work or a similar child-focused setting.

• A calm, patient and compassionate approach.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• The ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow guidance from teaching staff.

• An understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.

• The Right to Work in the UK.

• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or a willingness to apply for one through Connex Education.

Please Note — Relevant Experience and Checks

These opportunities are particularly suited to candidates with relevant experience supporting children or young people, whether in a school, SEND provision, care, residential support or youth work setting.

Experience supporting individuals with additional needs is highly desirable. Applicants should be able to demonstrate patience, reliability and an understanding of how to support individual needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

All applicants must provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK and be willing to complete the required pre-employment, safeguarding and safer recruitment checks.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Connex Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to the appropriate safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.