Teaching Assistant - L3

Element Materials Technology; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A community-focused organization is looking for an individual to lead activities for children, supporting their progress through established behavioral methods. Candidates must have experience with children or young people, possess reliable communication skills, and hold an Enhanced DBS. The role is part-time during term time, with a pay range of £24,479 to £25,425 annually, and includes various benefits such as health support and holiday entitlements.

Benefits

Westfield Health

Blue Light Card

Charity Worker Discount scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

30 days holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Experience with children or young people and ideally AP or SEMH or SEND.
• Behaviour support skills and calm judgement.
• Reliable communication and Enhanced DBS and RTW.

Responsibilities

• Lead planned one to one and small group activities.
• Support behaviour using agreed methods and de-escalation.
• Help with set up, tidy up and smooth transitions.
• Notice, record and raise safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Experience with children or young people

Behaviour support skills

Reliable communication

Calm judgement

Job description

Help each session feel safe and purposeful. You will lead small group and one to one activities, support behaviour kindly and consistently, and keep simple, accurate notes so the team can follow up.

Recruitment process

• Interview and practical task, for example, a de‑escalation role play, session planning, or a short data exercise.
• Two references, including the most recent line manager where applicable.
• Online check: short online search for shortlisted candidates in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Right to Work and identity checks: completed before start; certified‑remote route may be used.
• Enhanced DBS: required for regulated activity. Employment is subject to satisfactory checks.
• Conditional offer: confirmed when checks are complete.

Working pattern: 4 days per week with an option for job‑share or reduced hours, 5 hours per day, generally 09:30 to 14:30. Term time only. Optional extra hours on other Element projects during school holidays may be offered by agreement.

Why this role matters: Many pupils arrive with gaps in trust, skills and routine. Your patience and encouragement help them stick with it and make steady progress.

Pay and terms: £24,479 – £25,425, £13.45 to £13.97 per hour. Breaks unpaid. Minimum paid hours per shift: 4. Paid monthly via BrightPay on the last Thursday of each month.

Benefits

• Westfield Health; Blue Light Card; Charity Worker Discount scheme.
• Base: across Element sites and partner venues within 5 miles of Sheffield city centre.
• Employer pension contribution: 8 %
• Cycle to Work scheme available.
• Holiday entitlement: 30 days per year – pro rata to your working days and hours.

What you will do

• Lead planned one to one and small group activities.
• Support behaviour using agreed methods and de‑escalation.
• Help with set up, tidy up and smooth transitions.
• Notice, record and raise safeguarding concerns.

What you will bring

Essential

• Experience with children or young people and ideally AP or SEMH or SEND.
• Behaviour support skills and calm judgement.
• Reliable communication and Enhanced DBS and RTW.

Desirable

• First aid, positive handling and local knowledge.

Training and progression

We provide paid induction and all mandatory training. We can fund other useful qualifications by agreement. Typical progression: TA3 to HLTA to AP Programme Coordinator to AP Programme Lead.

Safeguarding and compliance

This is regulated activity and will require an enhanced DBS check. You will follow our safeguarding policy, professional boundaries and code of conduct. Right to work checks may be completed via a certified remote route.

Element Society is committed to safeguarding children and young people to the highest standards. Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility at the charity.

Equal opportunities

Element Society values and welcomes diversity, culture and belief within the communities we serve and wholeheartedly supports the principle of equality of opportunity and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, ethnic origin or nationality, gender, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, responsibility for dependants, employment status, age, capability or disability.