Teaching Assistant - Communication & Interaction Specialist

Protocol Education Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational staffing agency is seeking a Teaching Assistant – Communication & Interaction Specialist based in Sunderland. This full-time, long-term role involves leading communication activities and supporting learners' social skills. Experience in communication support is essential, with training provided for tools like PECs or Makaton. The position entails aiding transitions and closely collaborating with professionals. If passionate about unlocking communication potential, this opportunity is for you!

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Support within a specialist community

Role with purpose

Qualifications

• Experience in a role supporting young people with communication challenges.
• Desirable knowledge of visual supports and communication strategies.
• Creative attitude towards student engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead small group and one-on-one communication activities.
• Utilize visual supports to enhance learning access.
• Collaborate with Speech & Language professionals.

Skills

Experience supporting communication and social interaction needs

Knowledge of tools like PECs, Makaton or visual supports

Patient, creative and positive attitude

Job description

Teaching Assistant – Communication & Interaction Specialist

Location: Sunderland
Contract: Full-Time, Long-Term
Start: ASAP
Pay: Great daily rate with development opportunities

Do you enjoy supporting young people to express themselves, connect with others, and grow in confidence? This role puts communication and interaction at the heart of your day.

Your main duties

• Lead small group and 1:1 communication activities
• Use visual supports and communication strategies to support access to learning
• Work closely with Speech & Language professionals
• Help pupils build social skills and self-regulation
• Support transitions between activities and environments

You’ll bring

• Experience supporting communication and social interaction needs
• Knowledge of tools like PECs, Makaton or visual supports (desirable)
• Patient, creative and positive attitude
• TA qualification not essential but welcomed

Perks of this role

• Work within a specialist community that values insight and care
• Training and support available to build your skills
• A role with purpose — every day you’ll help learners communicate and connect

If you’re passionate about unlocking communication potential, we want 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.

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