Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant

Link 3 Recruitment; Derby; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in Derby seeks a SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Special Educational Needs. You will assist teachers, provide targeted support, and promote engagement within the classroom. The ideal candidate has experience working with SEN and a minimum GCSE in English and Maths. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant difference in students' lives.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children with SEN such as ASD, ADHD, etc.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Ability to build positive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Assist the teacher in delivering differentiated lessons.
• Provide targeted 1:1 or small group interventions.
• Promote engagement of SEN pupils in lessons.

Skills

Experience with children with SEN

Good communication skills

Organisational skills

Patience and empathy

Education

Minimum GCSE in English and Maths

Relevant qualification in SEN

Job description

Overview

Job Purpose: To support pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to access learning, participate fully in school life and make progress academically, socially and emotionally. The SEN Teaching Assistant will work under the direction of teachers and the SENCO, providing tailored support in class, small group work or 1:1 interventions.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Support: Assist the teacher in delivering differentiated lessons, adapting resources and strategies to meet pupils' individual needs.
• Individual Support: Provide targeted 1:1 or small group interventions to develop literacy, numeracy, social skills, or emotional regulation.
• Inclusion: Promote engagement, independence and participation of SEN pupils within lessons and wider school activities.
• Behaviour Support: Implement positive behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques and support self-regulation.
• Pastoral Care: Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils to promote wellbeing, resilience and self-confidence.
• Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, SENCO, external professionals (e.g. Speech and Language Therapists, CAMHS) and parents/carers to support pupils.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Keep accurate records of interventions, progress and incidents; provide feedback to teachers and SENCO.
• Safeguarding: Uphold safeguarding procedures, ensuring the safety and welfare of all pupils at all times.
• Additional Duties: Support lunchtime/break supervision, educational trips and enrichment activities where required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of working with children or young people with SEN (e.g. ASD, ADHD, SEMH, speech and language needs, learning difficulties).
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection in an educational setting.
• Ability to build positive relationships and manage challenging behaviour effectively.
• Patience, empathy, and a commitment to inclusion.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Minimum GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Desirable

• Relevant qualification in SEN, learning support, or childcare (e.g. Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant, CACHE, NVQ).
• Training in behaviour management, Team Teach, or Trauma-Informed Practice.
• Experience in an Alternative Provision or specialist SEN setting.
• First Aid or Mental Health First Aid training