Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Senploy; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Senploy in Liverpool is seeking an SEMH & ASC Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH and ASC needs. Immediate start; full-time, long-term role working with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral teams to create a nurturing learning environment.

Ideal candidates will have experience in SEND or mainstream education, SEMH or specialist school settings, autism support, behaviour mentoring or pastoral support; plus youth work or children's residential care and mental health support.

Qualifications

• SEND or mainstream education.
• SEMH or specialist school settings.
• Autism support.
• Behaviour mentoring or pastoral support.
• Youth work or children's residential care.
• Mental health or children's support services.

Responsibilities

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Helping children manage emotions, anxiety and challenging situations.
• Supporting pupils with communication, social interaction and sensory needs.
• Encouraging positive behaviour through consistent, supportive approaches.
• Adapting classroom activities to suit individual learning needs.
• Building trusting relationships with pupils who may struggle within traditional classroom environments.
• Supporting children with EHCPs and individual learning targets.
• Helping pupils develop independence, resilience and confidence.
• Using visual resources, structured routines and practical learning strategies.
• Working alongside teachers, SENCOs and pastoral teams to monitor progress.

Skills

SEND or mainstream education

SEMH or specialist school settings

Autism support

Behaviour mentoring or pastoral

Youth work or children's residential

Mental health or children's support

Education

Psychology graduates

Job description

SEMH & ASC Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start

Location: Liverpool, Merseyside

Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term

Start Date: ASAP

Every child deserves to feel understood, supported and capable of achieving their potential.

We're looking for a dedicated SEMH & ASC Teaching Assistant to join a supportive school in Liverpool, working with children who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys building positive relationships with young people and understands that successful learning begins with trust, consistency and emotional wellbeing.

The position is full-time, long-term and available for an immediate start.

You'll work closely with teachers and specialist staff to create a structured, nurturing learning environment where pupils feel safe, confident and ready to engage.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Helping children manage emotions, anxiety and challenging situations.
• Helping children manage emotions, anxiety and challenging situations.
• Supporting pupils with communication, social interaction and sensory needs.
• Supporting pupils with communication, social interaction and sensory needs.
• Encouraging positive behaviour through consistent, supportive approaches.
• Encouraging positive behaviour through consistent, supportive approaches.
• Adapting classroom activities to suit individual learning needs.
• Adapting classroom activities to suit individual learning needs.
• Building trusting relationships with pupils who may struggle within traditional classroom environments.
• Building trusting relationships with pupils who may struggle within traditional classroom environments.
• Supporting children with EHCPs and individual learning targets.
• Supporting children with EHCPs and individual learning targets.
• Helping pupils develop independence, resilience and confidence.
• Helping pupils develop independence, resilience and confidence.
• Using visual resources, structured routines and practical learning strategies.
• Using visual resources, structured routines and practical learning strategies.
• Working alongside teachers, SENCOs and pastoral teams to monitor progress.
• Working alongside teachers, SENCOs and pastoral teams to monitor progress.

Some pupils may find it difficult to regulate their emotions, communicate their needs or cope with changes to their daily routines.

Others may experience sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, difficulties forming relationships or barriers to accessing learning.

Your role will be to recognise these challenges and provide the reassurance, encouragement and individualised support that helps pupils succeed.

Sometimes the biggest achievement isn't completing a worksheet. It's helping a child feel confident enough to try.

We'd love to hear from candidates with experience in:

• SEND or mainstream education.
• SEND or mainstream education.
• SEMH or specialist school settings.
• SEMH or specialist school settings.
• Autism support.
• Autism support.
• Behaviour mentoring or pastoral support.
• Behaviour mentoring or pastoral support.
• Youth work or children's residential care.
• Youth work or children's residential care.
• Mental health or children's support services.
• Mental health or children's support services.

Psychology graduates and individuals looking to develop a career in specialist education are also encouraged to apply.

Previous experience supporting children with SEMH, ASC or challenging behaviour would be highly desirable.

The successful candidate will:

• Be patient, compassionate and emotionally resilient.
• Be patient, compassionate and emotionally resilient.
• Have a good understanding of SEMH and autism.
• Have a good understanding of SEMH and autism.
• Remain calm and supportive during challenging situations.
• Remain calm and supportive during challenging situations.
• Build positive, professional relationships with young people.
• Build positive, professional relationships with young people.
• Be adaptable and confident supporting different learning needs.
• Be adaptable and confident supporting different learning needs.
• Work effectively as part of a wider education team.
• Work effectively as part of a wider education team.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Valuable experience supporting pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Valuable experience supporting pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• The opportunity to develop specialist behaviour-support and communication skills.
• The opportunity to develop specialist behaviour-support and communication skills.
• Experience working alongside dedicated education professionals.
• Experience working alongside dedicated education professionals.
• A rewarding role helping young people overcome barriers to learning.
• A rewarding role helping young people overcome barriers to learning.

An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one, is required.

Immediate start in Liverpool.

Immediate start in Liverpool.

Working with children who have SEMH and ASC needs requires patience, understanding and a genuine belief in every pupil's potential.

Your encouragement could help a young person manage a difficult day, develop a new friendship, participate in a lesson or begin to believe in themselves.