Speech and Language Tutor (Total Communication)

AP Education; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible term-time working

Guaranteed weekly pay

Education Coordinator support

Free CPD and training

Free DASA Rewards access

Further placements through referrals

Job summary

AP Education in Gloucester is seeking creative, patient Total Communication Tutors to support children and young people in expressing their needs, choices, feelings and interests.

You will deliver face-to-face, one-to-one support tailored to each learner's communication profile, using visual supports, signing, gestures or AAC as appropriate. You'll work with families and professionals to plan, monitor progress and celebrate small breakthroughs.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting CYP with SEND.
• Understanding of functional communication methods.
• Experience with visual supports, signing or AAC, or willingness to learn.
• Creative and adaptable to individual needs.
• Patience and ability to recognise subtle attempts to communicate.
• Respectful, collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Deliver face-to-face, one-to-one support tailored to each child's communication profile.
• Develop functional communication for everyday needs and preferences.
• Use visual supports, signing, gestures, or AAC where appropriate.
• Create communication opportunities through play, music, and stories.
• Record progress and work with Education Coordinator to set outcomes.
• Collaborate with families and other professionals.

Skills

SEND experience

Functional communication

Visual supports / AAC

Creativity

Patience

Collaboration

Job description

Join AP Education and help children find their voice.

At AP Education, we provide personalised, one-to-one Alternative Provision for children and young people (CYP) who face barriers to education.

We're looking for creative, patient and compassionate Total Communication Tutors across Gloucester and surrounding areas to support CYP in expressing their needs, choices, feelings and interests.

Communication isn't always spoken. It might be a gesture, picture, symbol, sound, sign or AAC device. We want tutors who recognise every attempt to communicate and help children connect with the world around them.

If you're imaginative, celebrate small breakthroughs and enjoy finding new ways to engage children, we'd love to hear from you!

What makes AP Education different?

Relationships come first.

You’ll have time to build trust, follow a child's interests and create a safe, supportive environment where they can communicate at their own pace.

Creativity is encouraged.

From songs and sensory activities to games, stories and everyday routines, we encourage tutors to make communication fun and meaningful. Don't be afraid to get a little silly and meet children on their level!

Every form of communication counts.

You’ll help children develop practical communication skills, from making choices and requesting help to expressing feelings, preferences and discomfort. We value each child's individual way of communicating, not just spoken words.

You’re supported throughout.

Your dedicated Education Coordinator will help you understand each child's needs, strengths and goals. We'll arrange planning meetings, complete appropriate risk assessments and support you during the initial start-up. You’ll also have ongoing guidance, training and an allocated resource budget for suitable materials.

The role

You’ll deliver face-to-face, one-to-one support tailored to each child's communication profile, developmental level and interests.

Your work may include:

• Developing functional communication for everyday needs, choices and preferences.

• Using visual supports, symbols, signing, gestures, objects of reference or AAC where appropriate.

• Creating communication opportunities through play, music, sensory activities and stories.

• Supporting interaction, shared attention and turn-taking where appropriate.

• Helping children express emotions, refuse, request help and communicate discomfort.

• Following individual communication strategies and working with families and other professionals.

• Recording progress and working towards personalised outcomes with your Education Coordinator.

This isn't about forcing children to speak. It’s about recognising how they communicate now and helping them find effective ways to express themselves.

Who you’ll support

Our learners may have:

• Autism and social communication differences.

• Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

• Limited or emerging functional communication.

• Global developmental delay or learning difficulties.

• Complex SEND or sensory processing differences.

Some children may be working at an early developmental level; others may need support applying their communication skills in everyday situations.

Who we’re looking for

You could be a SEND teacher, Early Years practitioner, specialist teaching assistant, tutor or someone with experience supporting communication and interaction.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Experience supporting CYP with SEND.

• An understanding of functional communication and alternative communication methods.

• Experience with visual supports, signing or AAC, or a willingness to learn.

• Creativity and confidence adapting activities to individual interests and needs.

• Patience, curiosity and an ability to recognise subtle attempts to communicate.

• A respectful, collaborative approach.

Relevant qualifications and experience are welcomed. Above all, we want people who understand that communication goes far beyond words and that small breakthroughs can make a huge difference.

What we offer

• Flexible, term-time working.

• Guaranteed weekly pay, even when a learner cannot attend.

• A dedicated Education Coordinator and ongoing support.

• Free CPD and training.

• An allocated learner resource budget.

• Free DASA Rewards access, including 24/7 GP access, BP Fuel offers, retail discounts and cashback, subject to scheme terms.

• Opportunities for further placements as referrals arise.

Help every child be heard

Every child has something to communicate. Our job is to help them share it.

If you're creative, compassionate and passionate about helping children express themselves, we'd love to hear from you!

AP Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants must complete an Enhanced DBS check and relevant safer recruitment processes. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals.