Specialist Teaching Assistant (1294)

Ambitious about Autism; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Ambitious about Autism is recruiting for a Specialist Teaching Assistant to join Ambitious College in Tottenham. The role supports learners aged 16 to 25 with autism, working 9am–4:30pm during term time, with salary £27,610–£27,845 per year.

Start date is November 2026, with relocation notes to Enfield in Sept 2027. The STA will provide 1:1 assistance, help learners access learning, and support communication, confidence, independence and wellbeing through engaging activities and community-based

Qualifications

• Experience supporting autistic learners is advantageous.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with young people.

Responsibilities

• Work on a 1:1 basis with autistic pupils and assist with access to learning.
• Develop communication, confidence and independence in learners.
• Celebrate progress, big or small, with each pupil.
• Partake in community activities such as swimming and work experience.
• Respond to distress with patient and supportive care.
• Support pupils with personal care when needed.
• Help pupils feel safe, understood and proud of themselves.

Skills

1:1 support

Empathy & resilience

Tools

Autism knowledge

Job description

Specialist Teaching Assistant (STA) – Autism / SEND

We are Ambitious about Autism, a national charity with a clear goal: to create a world where autistic children and young people are heard, included and supported.

We are looking for patient, empathetic and resilient STA's to join our Ambitious College in Tottenham. The age group of our learners is from 16 to 25 years and all learners have a primary diagnosis of autism.

• Full time, permanent (term time only)
• Hours: 9am – 4.30pm
• Salary: £27,610 to £27,845 per annum
• Location: Capital City College, Tottenham, N15 4FY, Please note we will be moving to Montagu Building at Capital City College's Enfield campus in September 2027
• Start date: November 2026

The role:

This is a role where no two days are ever the same! Some days can be very challenging, but they can also be incredibly rewarding. As a STA, you will be working on a 1:1 basis with our autistic pupils and assisting them with:

• Access learning
• Developing communication, confidence and independence
• Celebrate progress - however big or small
• Take part in community based activities like swimming and work experience
• Responding to behaviours of distress with patient and supportive care
• Supporting pupils with personal care
• Helping our pupils feel safe, understood and proud of themselves

Why join us:

• This is a term time only role (yet you are paid across 52 weeks!)
• You will be placed on a training programme when you join the role with continued CPD
• Be part of a warm, supportive and collaborative team
• Progression opportunities to grow your career in SEND
• Be part of a national charity with a clear mission and shared values
• Varied, meaningful work with real impact
• Access to staff discount schemes, including Blue Light Card eligibility
• Full benefits package: https://jobs.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/jobs/benefits-rewards/

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring.

We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.

Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.