Teaching Assistant - Alternative Provision

Aspire People; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent role

Training & development

SEND exposure

Job summary

Aspire People, on behalf of a specialist Alternative Provision in Rochdale, is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH, SEND and barriers to education. This permanent role is term-time only (38 weeks) and involves 32.5 hours per week, 8:30am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

You will work closely with teachers and pastoral staff to build confidence, develop positive behaviours and help learners reach their individual targets within a trauma-informed, relationship-led environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people.
• Understanding of behaviour support and inclusion.
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare.

Responsibilities

• Support learning in the classroom and during interventions.
• Work with pupils on a 1:1 basis and in small groups.
• Help pupils engage with learning and achieve their individual targets.
• Build positive relationships and support emotional regulation.
• Promote positive behaviour and consistent routines.
• Support pupils with SEND and EHCP outcomes.
• Assist with personal care where required.
• Contribute to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, leaders and support staff.

Skills

Calm demeanor

Patience

Team player

Communication skills

Behaviour management

Job description

Teaching Assistant - Alternative Provision

Hours: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (8:30am to 3:30pm). Working Pattern: Term Time Only (38 weeks). Salary: 22,000 FTE. Aspire People is recruiting on behalf of a specialist Alternative Provision in Rochdale for a permanent Teaching Assistant.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support young people who may have experienced barriers to education, including SEMH needs, SEND, anxiety, challenging behaviour, poor attendance or disrupted school placements. The provision uses a trauma-informed and relationship-led approach to help pupils rebuild confidence, re‑engage with learning and achieve positive outcomes.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and pastoral staff to support pupils both academically and emotionally. This is a hands‑on role where you will help learners overcome barriers to education, develop positive behaviours and build confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support learning in the classroom and during interventions
• Work with pupils on a 1:1 basis and in small groups
• Help pupils engage with learning and achieve their individual targets
• Build positive relationships and support emotional regulation
• Promote positive behaviour and consistent routines
• Support pupils with SEND and EHCP outcomes
• Assist with personal care where required
• Contribute to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with teachers, leaders and support staff

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in:

• Education or school settings
• Youth work
• Residential care
• Support work
• SEMH or SEND environments
• Alternative Provision or PRU settings

The ideal candidate will be:

• Calm, resilient and patient
• Consistent in their approach to behaviour
• Able to build positive professional relationships
• Passionate about supporting vulnerable young people
• A strong team player with excellent communication skills

Requirements

• Experience working with children or young people
• Understanding of behaviour support and inclusion
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare
• Full‑time availability
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Willingness to undertake an Enhanced DBS check

What's on Offer

• Permanent, term‑time‑only position
• Supportive and experienced staff team
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to develop experience in SEND, SEMH and Alternative Provision
• A role where you can make a genuine difference every day

Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.