Specialist Autism Teacher - Primary / Complex Needs

Lime Tree Education Search Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

LTE Search is seeking a Specialist Autism Teacher for a maintained specialist school in Hackney. You will teach younger autistic pupils with complex communication needs, creating highly personalised learning plans and using various communication methods to support engagement and independence.

The role requires QTS and demonstrable experience in autism/SEND settings, including work with pre-verbal pupils. A permanent, full-time position with a SEN allowance awaits the right candidate.

Qualifications

• QTS is essential to apply.
• Experience in specialist autism or equivalent SEND setting is required.
• Experience with autistic pupils with complex communication needs is essential.
• Experience with pre-verbal/non-speaking pupils using appropriate communication strategies.
• Ability to adapt learning to EHCP outcomes and developmental stages.
• Familiarity with visual supports, signing, total communication and alternative systems.
• Experience supporting emotional regulation and sensory needs.
• Willingness to undertake personal care for pupils.

Responsibilities

• Teach a group of younger autistic pupils with highly personalised learning plans.
• Plan and deliver approaches reflecting developmental stages and EHCP outcomes.
• Use visual supports, signing and alternative communication to support learning.
• Work with teaching assistants and professionals to provide structured daily support.
• Support pupils with toileting and feeding as part of daily routines.

Skills

QTS

Specialist autism teaching

Pre-verbal support

Total communication

Emotional regulation support

Personal care support

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Specialist Autism Teacher - Primary / Complex Needs

Maintained Specialist School North East London

A specialist teaching opportunity working with younger autistic pupils and complex communication and developmental needs.

• Contract: Permanent, full-time
• Salary: MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance
• Start: January 2027 or as soon as possible

What if your specialist experience could make a difference at the earliest stages of a child's development?

For some children, learning to communicate a need, engage with an activity or feel comfortable within a familiar routine represents a significant achievement.

These are the milestones that matter in this classroom.

LTE Search is working with a well-established maintained specialist school in Hackney to appoint a qualified and experienced Autism / SEND Teacher to work with younger pupils with complex developmental, communication and sensory needs.

The children are at an early stage of development. Some are pre-verbal and require significant, individualised support with communication, engagement, routines and emotional regulation.

This is a role for a teacher who already understands specialist autism education: someone who can interpret individual needs, adapt learning creatively and use their experience to help children communicate, participate and develop greater independence.

The Role

You’ll take responsibility for teaching a group of younger autistic pupils, planning and delivering highly personalised learning that reflects their developmental stages, communication abilities and EHCP outcomes.

Teaching will involve much more than adapting a conventional primary curriculum. You’ll need to understand how individual pupils communicate, create meaningful opportunities for engagement and use appropriate strategies to support learning, regulation and independence.

Communication is central to the role. You’ll need to be confident using and developing approaches such as visual supports, signing, total communication and alternative communication systems to help pupils express themselves, understand routines and engage with learning. Experience supporting non-speaking and pre-verbal children will be particularly valuable.

You’ll work closely with teaching assistants and other professionals to provide consistent, structured support throughout the school day.

This is also a hands‑on role. Personal care is an integral part of the provision, including supporting pupils with toileting and feeding.

Why Consider It?

• Use your specialist expertise: Work with pupils whose communication, developmental and sensory needs require genuinely individualised teaching.
• Focus on meaningful progress: Help children develop communication, engagement, confidence and independence.
• Put relationships at the centre: Build the understanding and trust that enable pupils to feel safe and participate in learning.
• Develop your practice: Work within a specialist environment where creative approaches and personalised learning are central.
• Make a tangible difference: See the impact of your teaching in the everyday achievements that matter most to each child.

Who We're Looking For

We’re keen to hear from experienced specialist teachers who understand autism and have worked directly with pupils with complex communication and developmental needs.

You’ll bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - essential.
• Demonstrable teaching experience within a specialist autism or comparable SEND setting.
• Experience supporting autistic pupils with complex communication and developmental needs.
• Practical experience supporting pre‑verbal and non‑speaking autistic pupils, using appropriate communication strategies.
• Confidence adapting learning to different developmental stages and individual EHCP outcomes.
• Confidence using approaches such as visual supports, signing, total communication and alternative communication systems.
• Experience supporting emotional regulation, sensory needs and engagement.
• Confidence and willingness to undertake personal care, including supporting pupils with toileting and feeding.

Experience with younger pupils, EYFS or KS1 would be particularly valuable. However, we’re also interested in experienced specialist teachers whose backgrounds have predominantly been in KS2 or other age groups, provided they have the relevant experience and are keen to work with younger children.

This is not an entry‑level SEND opportunity. We’re looking for someone who can bring established specialist teaching experience and confidence working with pupils with complex needs.

The School & Opportunity

This is a maintained specialist school supporting autistic children and young people. Its approach recognises that effective teaching starts with understanding each pupil’s individual profile, how they communicate and what enables them to engage with learning.

For the younger pupils in this class, progress may look very different from that in a mainstream classroom. Developing a communication system, following a routine, engaging with an activity or taking a step towards independence can represent significant progress.

The successful teacher will have the opportunity to use their specialist knowledge to create meaningful learning experiences and help pupils develop at their own pace.

Please note: Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. This role is unable to offer sponsorship.