SENSA

Portland School; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme (SS)

Teachers Pension

Generous holiday entitlement

Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan

Discount for Teachers Scheme

Free Eye Tests

Cycle to work scheme

Institute of Education opportunities

Job summary

Shaw Education Trust is seeking a caring and resilient SEN Support Assistant to join our specialist SEMH schools. You will work with students with SEMH, autism, ADHD and SEND to access learning, develop confidence and achieve positive outcomes.

The ideal candidate will be patient, empathetic, and able to remain calm in challenging situations. You will support teaching staff, promote wellbeing, and contribute to an inclusive learning environment across our Trust.

Responsibilities

• Support students in lessons, interventions, and structured activities
• Provide one-to-one and small group support tailored to individual needs
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and engagement in learning
• Help create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment
• Support students with social skills, communication, and independence
• Assist teachers with classroom preparation and learning resources
• Monitor and record student progress, behaviour, and wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external professionals

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a caring, motivated, and resilient Special Educational Needs Support Assistant (SENSA) to join our specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school. This is a rewarding opportunity to support young people with additional needs to access learning, develop confidence, and achieve positive outcomes.

The successful candidate will work closely with teaching and pastoral staff to provide tailored support for students with SEMH needs, autism, ADHD, SEND, and other barriers to learning. You will play a key role in helping students engage positively with education and develop socially, emotionally, and academically.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support students in lessons, interventions, and structured activities
• Provide one-to-one and small group support tailored to individual needs
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and engagement in learning
• Help create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment
• Support students with social skills, communication, and independence
• Assist teachers with classroom preparation and learning resources
• Monitor and record student progress, behaviour, and wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external professionals

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, autism, ADHD, or behavioural needs
• Be patient, empathetic, and resilient
• Have strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Be able to remain calm and adaptable in challenging situations
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing
• Have a positive and proactive approach to supporting vulnerable learners

AtShaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life.Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, orleading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Ourvalues— opportunity, integrity, community, and equity —guide everything wedo. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power oflearning.” We bring this to life through our mission: workingtogether to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voicematters, and every learner thrives.

Weare a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools,proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Ourpeople are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their developmentthrough high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes,and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled,confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster aculture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a realdifference.

Youwill join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and astrong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust hasan equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailoredlearning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

Together,let’s make the remarkable happen.

Webelieve every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Makea life-changing difference in one of our special schools

Ourspecial schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life-changing places towork. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a widerange of special educational needs and disabilities to discover theirstrengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives.

Ourpupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learningdisabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severelearning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Everypupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised andcelebrated.

Byjoining one of our special schools, you will become part of a warm,compassionate and highly skilled team, united by a shared belief in what everychild and young person can achieve. You will work in a supportive environmentwhere relationships matter, ideas are welcomed and every role makes animportant contribution.

Whetheryou join us as a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional or aspart of our administration, facilities or operational teams, you will have theopportunity to develop your skills, learn from experienced colleagues and builda rewarding career in special education.

Ourpupils learn in small classes and benefit from personalised education, care andsupport shaped around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.Together, our teams help pupils develop their knowledge, communication,independence and confidence, while preparing them for adulthood andtheirfuture lives.

Workingin one of our special schools is much more than a job. It is an opportunity tojoin an extraordinary community and make a lasting difference to children,young people and their families.

ShawEducation Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching orSupport Staff employment:

• Anexcellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / TeachersPension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based onworking full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your firstday of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’service including Bank Holidays)
• Accessto Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed tosupport your well-being.
• FreeDiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusivediscounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offersfrom hundreds of the biggest brands.
• FreeEye Tests
• Cycleto work scheme
• Access to our Institute ofEducation and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute andflourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’recommitted to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is arewarding one.

Colleagueswithin the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses bothin-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of theNational Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programmedelivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for AmbitionInstitute.

• Experiencedleadership and subject-specific support.

• Guidancefrom former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Accessto the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunitiesto work with different schools within the Trust as a ProfessionalAdvocate.
• Participatingin peer reviews.
• Accessto a suite of online courses.
• Placementprojects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £19,898-£20,866

Working hours: 32.5 hours per week, Term Time plus 5 Inset Days (39 weeks total)