Teaching Assistant (SEND)

Teaching Vacancies; London Borough of Barking and Dagenham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Vacancies in Barking and Dagenham is seeking a dedicated assistant to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

You will work closely with teachers and the SENCO to adapt activities, prepare resources and deliver individual and small-group support, focusing on communication, emotional regulation and learning engagement.

The role promotes safeguarding, professional development and a collaborative, inclusive ethos where every child is valued.

Qualifications

• Passionate about supporting children with SEND and recognising their strengths.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with children with patience and empathy.
• Holds understanding of how children with SEND learn and develops specialist knowledge.
• Holds high expectations and supports increasing independence.
• Works with teachers and SENCO to adapt activities and provide targeted support.
• Supports communication, emotional regulation and engagement.
• Provides observations of progress to inform staff reviews.
• Shows initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm, collaborating with others.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.

Skills

SEND understanding

Relationship building

Safeguarding

Adapt activities

Observation skills

Team collaboration

Communication support

Emotional regulation

Independence support

Flexibility

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, recognising their individual strengths and helping them overcome barriers to learning.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with children and responds to their needs with patience, empathy and consistency.
• Has an understanding of how children with SEND learn and is committed to developing their specialist knowledge and skills.
• Holds high expectations for every child, celebrates small steps of progress and supports increasing independence.
• Works closely with teachers and the SENCO to adapt activities, prepare appropriate resources and deliver individual and small-group support.
• Supports children’s communication, emotional regulation and engagement in learning.
• Contributes observations about children’s progress to help staff review and refine their support.
• Brings initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm, working collaboratively and learning from others.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare.

What the school offers its staff

In return, you will join a school that offers:

• Children with a wide range of strengths, interests and personalities, whose progress makes this a rewarding role.
• An experienced, supportive team with opportunities to learn from colleagues across our SEND provision.
• Approachable leaders and friendly colleagues who value the contribution of support staff.
• A commitment to professional development, including opportunities to strengthen your knowledge of SEND and inclusive practice.
• A proactive approach to staff wellbeing, work-life balance and individual support.
• Beautiful school grounds and stimulating learning environments.
• An inclusive, caring ethos in which every child and member of staff is valued.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.