Sensory Support Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Manchester; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel is seeking a Sensory Support Assistant for a specialist SEN secondary school in Central Manchester. You will support pupils with complex needs, providing 1:1 and small-group assistance and helping them stay safe, engaged and able to access learning.

Ideal candidates will have experience with autism, ADHD and sensory processing needs, and possess a patient, resilient and compassionate approach to respond to diverse behaviours within a school setting.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEN and related needs.
• Ability to adapt approaches for different pupils in a school setting.
• Patient, observant, resilient and compassionate approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with sensory and additional needs.
• Help pupils recognise and manage sensory triggers and stay engaged in learning.
• Support pupils to regulate emotions and build trust with staff.
• Assist with classroom activities, transitions and routines.
• Collaborate with teachers and the SEN team to respond to individual needs.
• Encourage pupil independence, confidence and communication skills.

Skills

Autism / ASC

ADHD

Sensory processing needs

Complex learning needs

Communication difficulties

SEMH needs

Challenging behaviour

Job description

Sensory Support Assistant - SEN Secondary School
Central Manchester | Full-Time | Long-Term Opportunity

Are you passionate about helping young people with additional needs feel confident, understood and ready to learn?

We are looking for a Sensory Support Assistant to join a specialist SEN secondary school in Central Manchester, supporting pupils with a range of complex and additional needs.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who understands that every pupil is different and is confident adapting their approach to help young people feel safe, regulated and engaged throughout the school day.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Sensory Support Assistant, you will play an important role in helping pupils manage sensory needs and access their learning. Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with sensory and additional needs.
• Helping pupils recognise and manage sensory triggers in a calm and supportive way.
• Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions and remain engaged with learning.
• Using a patient and consistent approach to build trusting relationships with young people.
• Supporting classroom activities, transitions and wider school routines.
• Working closely with teachers and the SEN team to understand and respond to individual needs.
• Encouraging pupils to develop confidence, independence and communication skills.

Who We're Looking For

We'd love to hear from candidates with experience supporting children or young people with:

• Autism / ASC
• ADHD
• Sensory processing needs
• Complex learning needs
• Communication difficulties
• SEMH needs
• Challenging or distressed behaviour

Previous experience in a school is beneficial, but transferable experience from care, support work, youth work, residential settings or other SEN environments is also highly valued.

We're looking for someone who is patient, observant, resilient and compassionate, with the ability to remain calm and consistent even when situations become challenging.

Why This Role?

This is more than simply supporting a pupil in the classroom. You'll have the opportunity to make a real difference to how young people experience school, helping them overcome barriers, develop independence and feel more confident in their environment.

If you're looking to build your experience within SEN education and want a role where your approach, patience and personality can genuinely have an impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

When applying through Teaching Personnel, an enhanced DBS on the update service is a required document. If you do not have one already, you will be asked to apply for one through Teaching Personnel before you are able to start in a position.

Any applicants that have been out of the UK for more than 3 months over the past 5 years will be asked to provide an overseas criminal clearance check. If you do not already have one of these, please apply for this before applying to this role

All applicants must have a permanent residence and right to work in the UK. If you are currently based in another country, please do not apply for these roles as we will not be able to proc