Teaching Assistant (Fixed Term Maternity Cover)

Shorefields; Wickford; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Employee benefits

Training and development

Job summary

The Children’s Support Service (CSS) in Essex is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join on a fixed-term maternity cover. You will work with teachers and colleagues to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, helping them access learning and achieve positive outcomes.

The role focuses on building positive relationships, supporting learning across the curriculum, and helping pupils develop emotional regulation and social skills.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people, ideally those with additional needs or challenging behaviour.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm, patient and resilient under pressure.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Shares our belief that every young person deserves the chance to succeed.

Responsibilities

• Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Support learning across the curriculum, both in class and through targeted interventions.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation, social skills and positive behaviour.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, families and external agencies.
• Contribute to a safe, nurturing and aspirational learning environment.

Skills

Experience working with children

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

Patience and resilience

Job description

Teaching Assistant (Fixed Term Maternity Cover)

Job Ref No. ECC1120-456S Position Type: Teaching/Child Support Pay Range: Scale 5, Point 10-13

Position Start Date: 01/11/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 09/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: TBC

Salary: Grade Scale 5, Point 10 -13 (£29,361 FTE Inc Fringe( £22,790 Actual Salary inc fringe

Hours: 33.5 per week, Term Time Only

Contract:Fixed term 1 - year Maternity Cover
Start Date:November 2026

About Us

Children's Support Service(CSS) is a specialist provision supporting children and young people who have experienced barriers to education. Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where pupils can re-engage with learning, develop positive relationships and achieve their potential.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team. You will work closely with teachers and other professionals to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, helping them to access learning and achieve positive outcomes.

The successful candidate will:

• Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils.
• Support learning across the curriculum, both in class and through targeted interventions.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation, social skills and positive behaviour.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, families and external agencies.
• Contribute to a safe, nurturing and aspirational learning environment.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has experience working with children or young people, ideally those with additional needs or challenging behaviour.
• Is calm, patient and resilient under pressure.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can maintain professional boundaries while developing positive relationships.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Shares our belief that every young person deserves the chance to succeed.

We Can Offer:

• A highly supportive and welcoming team.
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities.
• A rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to young people's lives.
• Access to wellbeing support and employee benefits.

Safeguarding

CSS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact out HR team:- [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

Closing Date:9th October 2026
Interview Date:To be confirmed

Information about the School

The Children’s Support Service is a short stay alternative provision in Essex. We educate and support children from KS1 - KS4 as well as providing an outreach service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area. Our schools are based in Basildon (secondary) and Wickford (primary and secondary).

Our Medical Education Team work across South and West Essex and focus on not only educating children and young people but crucially reintegrating our students back into their mainstream school.

We now offer, in partnership with Essex Local Authority Education Access Team, an education and reintegration programme for students who have been permanently excluded from any part of Essex back to their local mainstream school.

Most of our students are referred to us due to challenges they may have faced in school; many come with additional needs and require academic, emotional and social support. We pride ourselves on overcoming these challenges and ensuring every student is successful.

We offer a wide range of subjects and match a mainstream setting through our core curriculum offer. At the same time, as a 'needs -led' provision we offer extensive enrichment opportunities to our students.

We collaborate with schools and professionals who need our support, and aim to reintegrate students back into mainstream education or prepare them for other lifelong learning opportunities.

Our staff create positive, safe, caring and supportive learning environments, helping to inspire every child to 'be the best they can be.'

CSS staff benefit from flexible working arrangements, our subscription to an Employee Assistance Programme, which provides mental health and well‑being support services for all staff, including 24/7 access to advice, support and counselling for our whole team.

Please note that car insurance including "business use" is required.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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