Teaching Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Liverpool is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support young pupils with Autism and additional needs. The role offers a unique 4-Day Working Week while providing meaningful education and personal development to children. Applicants should have experience in an SEN environment and a passion for helping others succeed.

Benefits

Exceptional reward package

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Experience with Autism and additional needs.
• Ability to support pupils' learning and personal development.
• Willingness to engage in outdoor learning and enrichment activities.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils' learning and personal development.
• Prepare and help deliver engaging lessons.
• Provide emotional support to help pupils overcome barriers.
• Encourage positive behaviour and social interaction.
• Work closely with teachers to tailor support.

Skills

Experience as a Teaching Assistant in an SEN environment

Caring and energetic personality

Patience and adaptability

Effective communication skills

Team player mentality

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title

Teaching Assistant

Location

Hazel Cottage School, Fazakerley, Liverpool L10 1LD

Salary

£22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours

37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract

Permanent | Term Time Only

Start

November 2025

UK applicants only — this role does not offer visa sponsorship

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be at the heart of our school community — supporting incredible young people with Autism and additional needs to reach their full potential.

This is a role where no two days are the same. One moment you’ll be helping bring a lesson to life in the classroom, and the next, you might be encouraging pupils through outdoor adventures, creative projects, or hands‑on learning experiences. You’ll build trusting relationships, celebrate every success, and help our pupils grow in confidence and independence.

In this role, you will:

• Support pupils’ learning and personal development in creative, engaging ways
• Prepare and help deliver lessons that spark curiosity and confidence
• Provide emotional and practical support, helping pupils overcome barriers and achieve their goals
• Encourage positive behaviour and social interaction through empathy and consistency
• Get involved in outdoor learning, enrichment activities, and community experiences
• Work closely with teachers and therapists to tailor support to individual needs
• Be part of a passionate, supportive team that values every voice and every achievement

Who we’re looking for:

• Someone with experience of working as a Teaching Assistant in an SEN environment
• A caring, energetic person who loves helping others grow and succeed
• Someone patient, adaptable, and ready to embrace every challenge with positivity
• A great communicator who builds strong, trusting relationships with pupils and colleagues
• A true team player who wants to learn, share ideas, and make a lasting difference

Every day brings new challenges, new discoveries, and the chance to inspire young people to believe in themselves — while developing your own skills and career along the way.

About us

Hazel Cottage is a new school meeting the needs of autistic pupils aged 4 – 11 years who may have additional needs. Hazel Cottage is proposed to be a 35 place school.

We are situated in Fazakerley, Liverpool. Our school is a Grade 2 Listed building which has been refurbished and re‑designed to the highest standard to meet the needs of our wonderful pupils. At Hazel Cottage everything we do is centred around the individual needs of each pupil attending our school, with the aim that every learner is able to fulfil their individual potential and thrive. Alongside a broad, exciting and memorable curriculum, we focus on developing core life skills such as communication and social interaction, sensory processing and emotional regulation. We work towards every pupil being as independent as possible when they move on to the next stage of their education.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit