SEND Teaching Assistant - Rochdale

Tradewind Recruitment; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily pay

Free training courses

Interview support

Local payroll

Holiday pay

Referral bonuses

Networking events

Job summary

Tradewind Recruitment is recruiting for a SEND support role in a secondary school in Rochdale, Lancashire. Ideal for candidates with experience in sports, coaching, youth work, community groups or faith-based projects who can mentor pupils with autism and SEMH needs.

This full-time position starts September 2026. You will work 1:1 and in small groups, delivering structured support to help students regulate emotions, build routines and stay engaged in lessons.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in schools, clubs or community projects.
• Calm, patient, and able to support learners with SEND and SEMH.
• Reliable, consistent and strong communication with students, staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support to pupils with autism and SEMH needs.
• Help students stay focused, implement routines and behaviour guidance.
• Use sports or youth work background to build confidence and emotional regulation.
• Collaborate with SEND specialist team to deliver interventions.

Skills

Sports coaching background

Youth work experience

Community engagement

Faith-based experience

Job description

Do you have experience in sports, coaching, youth work, community groups or religious organisations? Want to use those skills to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Tradewind Recruitment is seeking motivated, confident individuals to join a SEND school for secondary-aged pupils (including those with autism and SEMH needs) in Rochdale. This is a full-time role available from September 2026 and we need someone who is committed, reliable, and ready to make a lasting difference.

The Role:

• Support secondary-aged students (11-18 or equivalent SEND age range) who have autism, SEMH, or related additional needs, providing structure, encouragement, and positive role modelling
• Use your background in sports, fitness, martial arts, youth or community work, or faith-based projects to build trust, boost confidence, and help students regulate emotions
• Help students stay focused in class, manage behaviour, and develop routines that support their learning and wellbeing
• Work 1:1 and in small groups to deliver personalised support and interventions
• Be part of a SEND specialist team committed to consistency, safety, and emotional stability

Who This Role Would Suit:

• Someone with experience working with young people - in schools, coaching, youth clubs, community initiatives, religious organisations, or similar settings
• Calm, patient, confident, with strong emotional resilience
• Excellent communicator, able to build trusting relationships with students, staff, families
• Highly reliable and consistent - unreliability can be extremely detrimental to students' mental health and progress, especially those with SEND and SEMH

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Specific experience of autism, SEMH, or related special needs
• Experience mentoring teens or working in settings which support pupils who dysregulate behaviour
• Any SEND / TA qualifications (e.g. Level 2/3, NVQ, CACHE) though not essential - full training provided

What We Offer:

• Competitive full-time daily pay
• Access to over 2,500 free training courses, including specialist courses in behaviour management, autism awareness, mental health support
• Interview support and preparation
Local payroll - no umbrella companiesHoliday pay, referral bonuses, and social/networking events

Why This Role Matters:

For students with SEND and SEMH, consistency, structure, and reliable support are not optional - they are essential. If you've been active in youth work, community projects, faith groups, sport or coaching, your skills and reliability can help these young people feel safe, understood, and supported. Being present every single day isn't just about attendance - it's about protecting emotional wellbeing and giving them the stability they need to thrive.