Special Needs Support Assistant

Protocol Education; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free safeguarding training

Job summary

Protocol Education is seeking a Special Needs Support Assistant to join a specialist school for children aged 3–14 with complex needs, including SLD, PMLD and physical disabilities. You will provide high-level, personalised support to help learners access education, communicate, and develop independence.

The role is hands-on, working 8:45am–3:45pm, Monday to Friday, in Southend-on-Sea. Prior SEN or related care experience is helpful, and a caring, patient attitude is essential for success in

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE English Grade C/4 or equivalent is required.
• A childcare or related qualification is advantageous.
• Experience in SEN, education, care or childcare is useful; attitude and willingness to learn matter.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils 1:1 and in small groups throughout the school day.
• Help children with SLD, PMLD and complex physical needs access learning.
• Support communication, independence and engagement.
• Provide personal care where required.
• Work alongside teachers, therapists and other specialist staff.
• Build genuine relationships with pupils and celebrate small wins.

Skills

Patient

Resilient

Positive

Comfortable with complex needs

Education

GCSE English Grade C/4

Childcare qualification (advantage)

Job description

Looking for a job where you can actually see the difference you make?

We’re looking for a Special Needs Support Assistant to join a specialist school supporting children and young people aged 3–14 with complex additional needs, including severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and physical disabilities.

This isn't a standard Teaching Assistant role. You'll be working closely with pupils who need a high level of individual support to access education, communicate, develop independence and get the most from their time at school.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting pupils 1:1 and in small groups throughout the school day
• Helping children with SLD, PMLD and complex physical needs access learning
• Supporting communication, independence and engagement
• Providing personal care where required
• Working alongside teachers, therapists and other specialist staff
• Building genuine relationships with pupils and celebrating the small wins that can make a massive difference

Who we’re looking for

You don't necessarily need years of school experience.

We're interested in people who are patient, resilient, positive and genuinely comfortable supporting children with complex needs.

Experience in SEN, education, care, support work, healthcare or childcare would be particularly useful, but the right attitude and willingness to learn are just as important.

You'll need a minimum of GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English, and a childcare or related qualification would be an advantage.

The role

Hours: 8:45am–3:45pm, Monday–Friday

Location: Southend-on-Sea

Contract: Full-time, term-time role

Start: ASAP

If you’re looking for a role that’s hands‑on, challenging and genuinely rewarding, we’d like to hear from you.

Successful applicants will be subject to the relevant safer recruitment and compliance checks, including references, right‑to‑work and enhanced DBS requirements.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07 % statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.