Teaching Assistant for Children with Complex Disabilities

Academics; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Academics in Stoke-on-Trent is recruiting a Teaching Assistant to support children with complex disabilities in a specialist SEN school.

You will assist with personal care, help deliver a sensory curriculum, and use Makaton, PECS or BSL to aid communication within a supportive team.

The role requires patience, resilience and strong teamwork with classroom staff.

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with a disability or SEN.
• Familiarity with autism, cerebral palsy, SLD, or other SEND.
• Experience using alternative communication methods (Makaton, PECS, BSL, etc.).
• Ready to carry out personal care and manual handling as required.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact with children who have limited verbal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical support and personal care assistance.
• Support communication using Makaton, PECS, BSL, or other methods.
• Assist with delivery of sensory curriculum‑based activities.
• Help promote happiness, self‑reliance, and positive interactions among pupils.

Skills

SEN experience

Communication skills

Interacting with non-verbal children

Job description

Teaching Assistant – Children with Complex Disabilities

Working with pupils in a large specialist SEN school, you will support the class teacher as part of a team of teaching assistants, helping children with complex needs and disabilities including MLD, PMLD, physical needs, and a range of SEN.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical support and assistance with personal care, including changing and manual handling.
• Support communication for children with limited verbal skills using methods such as Makaton, PECS, BSL or other alternative communication methods.
• Assist with delivery of sensory curriculum‑based learning activities.
• Help promote happiness, self‑reliance, and positive interactions among pupils.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working with people with a disability or SEN.
• Familiarity with autism, cerebral palsy, SLD, or other SEND.
• Experience using alternative communication methods (Makaton, PECS, BSL, etc.).
• Ready to carry out personal care and manual handling as required.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact with children who have limited verbal skills.