Teaching Assistant - Complex Needs (PIP)

Oldham Council; Oldham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Teaching Assistant to join the Quality, Educational Support and Training Team. This role involves working closely with school staff to support pupils with complex needs. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills. The position is based at the Spindles Shopping Centre with travel to various schools across the Borough.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Attractive pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff and children.
• Demonstrates knowledge of autistic pupils' needs and applies appropriate strategies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with advisory teachers to develop pupil profiles.
• Provide advice and coaching to school staff.
• Support the implementation of individual pupil support plans.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Empathy

Job description

Education, Skills and Early Years

Education SEND and Inclusion QEST Team

Teaching Assistant Complex Need (Pupil Intervention Project PIP).

Ref : 001157

Contract : Permanent

Salary : NJC Grade 4 - Term time (39 weeks) contract Pro rata

Hours : 32.5 per week, term time

Location : Spindles Shopping Centre, George Street Oldham, OL1 IHD (Travel to various school-based locations across Oldham plus some office based and home-based working)

Closing Date : Sunday 21st December 2025

Interview Date : TBC.

Hiring Manager : Emma Dewar Lead for Specialist Education Services. [e-mail]

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and experienced Teaching Assistant to join the Quality, Educational Support and Training Team (QEST Team) as part of the Pupil Intervention Project (PIP).

Working as part of an experienced and supportive team, the role will involve providing support and advice on the implementation of appropriate strategies and interventions as well as modelling and coaching to school staff who support autistic pupils and pupils with complex speech, language and communication needs.

You will be based at the Spindles Shopping Centre Offices, but the role will include travel to schools across the Borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with QEST Advisory Teachers and school staff to develop pupil profiles, identifying strengths and needs.
• Provide advice on appropriate strategies and interventions based on sound assessment as well as modelling and coaching to school staff.
• Work with school staff to co-develop and support implementation of individual pupil support plans as part of the graduated response.
• Helping staff understand behaviour as communication and support positive behaviour development.
• Maintain accurate records, including case notes and PIP reports, in line with service protocols.

Key Requirements

• Work collaboratively with a range of others and be able to build relationships with school staff, children and young people.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and empathy for the learning, behaviour, and sensory needs of autistic pupils and pupils with complex communication needs and, in response to these, apply appropriate evidence-based strategies and interventions.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills both written and oral, being able to accommodate a range of audiences.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact :

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan : Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information .

Our Values and Behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘ Proud, Ambitious, and Together’ , and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out :

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active .
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme .

Data and Privacy

For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice .

Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.