Special needs Teaching Assistant

Apex Education Recruitment; Shotgate; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Face-to-face interview

Training opportunities

Competitive pay + holiday pay

Support from Apex team

Job summary

Apex Education Recruitment is seeking a proactive Special Needs Teaching Assistant to support KS1 pupils with Autism in a Hornchurch area school. You will work 1:1 and in small groups, using Attention Autism and Lego Therapy to foster communication, engagement and social development.

The role runs Monday to Friday during term time, with ongoing support from experienced consultants. A nurturing, patient approach and good teamwork are essential to help pupils reach their potential.

Qualifications

• Provide consistent 1:1 and small-group support for KS1 children with Autism.
• Use Attention Autism strategies to build focus, shared attention, and engagement.
• Plan and deliver Lego Therapy sessions to promote communication, turn-taking, teamwork, and social interaction.
• Support children with sensory processing needs and emotional regulation.
• Implement visual supports, routines, and structured learning approaches.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and positive behaviour in a nurturing environment.
• Ideally experience with SEN or Autism Teaching Assistant in a primary setting.
• Strong understanding of Autism Spectrum Conditions, particularly in KS1.
• Hands‑on experience using Attention Autism and Lego Therapy.
• Calm, patient, and highly nurturing approach.
• Ability to adapt support to meet individual sensory, communication, and emotional needs.
• Confident working in and out of the classroom.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 and small-group support for KS1 children with Autism.
• Use Attention Autism strategies to build focus, shared attention, and engagement.
• Plan and deliver Lego Therapy sessions to promote communication, turn-taking, teamwork, and social interaction.
• Support children with sensory processing needs and emotional regulation.
• Implement visual supports, routines, and structured learning approaches.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and positive behaviour in a nurturing environment.
• Ideally experience with SEN or Autism Teaching Assistant in a primary setting.
• Strong understanding of Autism Spectrum Conditions, particularly in KS1.
• Hands-on experience using Attention Autism and Lego Therapy.
• Calm, patient, and nurturing approach.
• Adapt support to meet individual sensory, communication, and emotional needs.
• Confident working in and out of the classroom.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Skills

SEN experience

Attention Autism

Lego Therapy

KS1 understanding

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Required to support KS1 children with Autism, both within and outside the classroom, at a school in the Hornchurch area.

Are you a proactive Teaching Assistant with SEN experience, and has a strong understanding of Autism and confident in using child centred approaches such as Attention Autism / Lego Therapy to support communication, engagement and social development.

Monday to Friday – Term time only

Special Needs Teaching Assistant Role & Requirements:

• Provide consistent 1:1 and small-group support for KS1 children with Autism.
• Use Attention Autism strategies to build focus, shared attention, and engagement.
• Plan and deliver Lego Therapy sessions to promote communication, turn-taking, teamwork, and social interaction.
• Support children with sensory processing needs and emotional regulation.
• Implement visual supports, routines, and structured learning approaches.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and positive behaviour in a nurturing environment.
• Ideally experience with SEN or Autism Teaching Assistant in a primary setting.
• Strong understanding of Autism Spectrum Conditions, particularly in KS1.
• Hands‑on experience using Attention Autism and Lego Therapy.
• Calm, patient, and highly nurturing approach.
• Ability to adapt support to meet individual sensory, communication, and emotional needs.
• Confident working in and out of the classroom.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

We offer:

• A full face‑to‑face interview to ascertain your skills, experience and understand the right role for you.
• Over 300 training courses for all workers.
• Competitive monthly pay with additional holiday pay.
• Ongoing support from the schools and Apex team who are teachers with over 20 years school based recruitment experience.

If you are interested in this Special Needs Teaching Assistant role, please call us for a discussion or apply with your CV and a covering letter.

This post is subject to a face‑to‑face interview, vetting checks including enhanced DBS and full compliance for working with children.

We aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We adhere to Safer Recruitment of Children guidance and all staff are fully trained.

Apex Education Recruitment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.