Support Assistant- SEND School Career Change Opportunity

Protocol Education Ltd; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking passionate individuals to transition into education as Support Assistants in Special Needs Schools. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with special needs, providing tailored support in a nurturing environment. You will work closely with educators to foster academic and social growth, helping students develop essential life skills. Join a dynamic team committed to inclusivity and professional development, where your contributions will be valued and recognized. This is a unique opportunity to embark on a fulfilling career in education and make a difference in the community.

Benefits

Training and professional development

Supportive working environment

Opportunity for career progression

Free online safeguarding training

Qualifications

• Experience in care roles supporting individuals with disabilities is preferred.
• A genuine desire to work with children with special educational needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and small group support to students with special needs.
• Assist with implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to ensure effective learning experiences.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Patience

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

NVQ in Health and Social Care

Job description

Job Title: Support Assistant - Special Needs Schools (Career Change Opportunity)

Location: Sheffield
Day Rate: £90-100 per day
Start Date: ASAP

About Us:
Protocol Education are a leading recruitment agency working with schools across the UK. We are currently working with a school that is a welcoming, inclusive, and dedicated educational setting for children with special educational needs (SEN). The school is committed to creating a nurturing environment that helps students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As part of our ongoing efforts to support the school's expanding team, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity for individuals with a background in care to transition into the education sector as Support Assistants in our Special Needs Schools.

The Role:
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with a background in care who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with special needs. As a Support Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting students with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities, within a classroom setting. You will work closely with teachers and other support staff to provide tailored assistance that helps students succeed academically and develop important life skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one and small group support to students with special needs in the classroom.
• Assist with implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and personalised learning strategies.
• Support students in developing social, emotional, and practical life skills.
• Help manage and support students’ behaviour using positive reinforcement and appropriate interventions.
• Assist students with personal care, mobility, and any other specific needs as required.
• Foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
• Collaborate with teachers, SENCO, and other staff to ensure effective learning experiences.
• Provide regular feedback on student progress to the teaching team.
• Attend regular training and development opportunities to enhance your skills in education and special needs support.

Key Requirements:

• Previous experience in a care role, supporting individuals with physical or learning disabilities (preferred but not essential).
• A genuine desire to work with children and young people with special educational needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Patience, empathy, and a positive, solution-focused attitude.
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills in education.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to working in a classroom environment.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• A relevant qualification (such as NVQ in Health and Social Care or equivalent) is desirable, but not essential.

Why Join Us:

• The opportunity to transition into a rewarding career in education.
• A supportive and dynamic working environment.
• Training and professional development to help you succeed in your new career path.
• A chance to make a positive impact on the lives of children with special needs.
• A fulfilling role with opportunities for career progression within the education sector.

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.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.