Teaching Assistant

Ambitious College; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambitious College, West Thames campus, is seeking a Higher Level Specialist Teaching Assistant to support autistic young adults aged 16-25. You will work with the class Lecturer to plan and deliver high-quality education and monitor learner progress.

You will mentor Learning Support Workers and other staff, promoting independence, communication and positive behaviour support while ensuring safeguarding and professional practice at all times.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with autistic learners or learners with additional needs.
• Ability to plan, deliver and assess learning.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to mentor staff and model best practice.
• Commitment to safeguarding and learner welfare.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, delivery and assessment of learning.
• Develop accessible resources and personalised activities.
• Deliver lessons in Lecturer's absence.
• Monitor learner progress and achievement.
• Mentor and support staff to build confidence.
• Collaborate with lecturers, therapists and other professionals.
• Promote high expectations and independence.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety and professional standards.

Skills

Experience with autistic learners

Strong communication skills

Mentoring staff

Teamwork

Planning and delivering lessons

Job description

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant ready to take the next step in your career? At Ambitious College, we are looking for a Higher Level Specialist Teaching Assistant to join our West Thames campus, supporting autistic young adults aged 16-25. Working alongside the class Lecturer, you will play an important role in planning and delivering high-quality education, supporting learner progress and modelling excellent practice. You will also mentor and develop Learning Support Workers and other support staff, helping colleagues build their skills and confidence.

About the role

• Support the planning, delivery and assessment of learning.
• Develop accessible resources and personalised learning activities.
• Deliver lessons and activities in the Lecturer's absence.
• Monitor and contribute to learner progress and achievement.
• Model effective strategies for supporting autistic learners, including communication, engagement, independence and positive behaviour support.
• Mentor and provide practical guidance to support staff.
• Support colleagues to implement individual learner plans and strategies.
• Work collaboratively with Lecturers, therapists and other professionals.
• Promote high expectations, independence and participation.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and professional practice.

About you

• Significant experience working with young people, ideally autistic learners or those with additional needs.
• A strong understanding of effective teaching and learning.
• Experience adapting learning to meet individual needs.
• The confidence to support or deliver lessons.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to model best practice and mentor colleagues.
• A positive, person-centred approach and high expectations for learners.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare.
• Experience of working with autistic young people is highly desirable, but we welcome candidates with strong transferable skills and a genuine commitment to developing their specialist practice.

Why join Ambitious College?

At Ambitious College, we believe autistic young adults should have the opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence and prepare for a fulfilling adult life. You'll join a passionate and skilled team where your experience can make a real difference - while developing your own specialist and leadership skills. If you're ready to lead by example, develop others and make a greater impact, we'd love to hear from you. Join Ambitious College and help us transform the lives of autistic young adults.

Start Date- November 2026 Closing Date- Monday 28 September 2026 Interview date-Friday 2nd October/ Monday 5th October 2026

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. 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