Speech & Language Graduate - Send School

Protocol Education; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Protocol Education is recruiting a Speech & Language Graduate Teaching Assistant to support pupils with speech, language and communication needs at a specialist SEND school in Gateshead.

You will work closely with pupils and staff, using communication strategies and visual resources to aid learning. This graduate role offers hands-on SEND exposure and a pathway into further therapies and education careers.

Qualifications

• Speech & Language Therapy graduate
• Interest in SEND sector or therapy
• Patient, empathetic and confident with children

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with speech, language and communication needs
• Help children develop communication and interaction skills
• Use visual resources and structured activities
• Support pupils on a 1:1 or small-group basis
• Encourage confidence, independence and social interaction
• Support learning and engagement within the classroom
• Collaborate with teachers and SEND professionals
• Help pupils access learning and communicate their needs
• Support children with SEND including autism and complex needs

Skills

Speech & Language graduate

Job description

Speech & Language Graduate – SEND School

Location: Gateshead
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: As soon as available
Hours: Monday–Friday, School Hours
Pay: £98–£115 per day, depending on experience

Turn Your Speech & Language Degree Into Real-World SEND Experience

Are you a Speech & Language Therapy graduate looking to gain valuable hands‑on experience working with children with additional needs?

Protocol Education is working with a specialist SEND school in Gateshead that is looking for a motivated and compassionate Speech & Language Graduate Teaching Assistant to join their supportive team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a graduate looking to build experience before progressing into Speech and Language Therapy, education, psychology, occupational therapy or other SEND‑focused careers.

The Role

You will work closely with pupils and experienced teaching staff, supporting children with a range of additional needs and communication difficulties.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs
• Helping children develop their communication and interaction skills
• Using visual resources, communication strategies and structured activities
• Supporting pupils on a 1:1 or small-group basis
• Encouraging confidence, independence and social interaction
• Supporting learning and engagement within the classroom
• Working alongside teachers and wider SEND professionals
• Helping pupils access their learning and communicate their needs
• Supporting children with a range of SEND, including autism and complex needs

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• A Speech & Language Therapy / Speech and Language graduate
• Passionate about supporting children and young people
• Interested in developing a career within SEND or therapy
• Patient, empathetic and confident working with children
• Able to build positive relationships with pupils
• Comfortable working as part of a wider school team
• Previous experience working with children or within SEND is desirable but not essential

Why This Role?

This is more than just a graduate job — it's an opportunity to gain genuine, hands‑on experience within a specialist SEND environment while developing skills that can support your future career.

You will receive support from experienced education professionals and gain exposure to communication strategies, SEND practice and working alongside a multidisciplinary team.

If you're a Speech & Language graduate looking to take your first step into a career supporting children with additional needs, we'd love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.