Teaching Assistant - Special Needs - Croydon

Starfyn Recruitment; Croydon; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Starfyn Education is hiring a SEN Teaching Assistant in Croydon for long-term, full-time agency roles. You will join specialist schools supporting pupils with ASD, MLD, SLD and more, fostering communication, confidence and life skills.

The role requires empathy, reliability and a proactive approach, with days Monday–Friday during term time. Prior school experience is preferred, with potential SEN training provided.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or SEN Support Worker.
• Experience working in mainstream or specialist SEN settings is preferred.
• Care, childcare or youth work experience is acceptable if related to SEN support.
• Willingness to learn and undertake SEN training.

Responsibilities

• Offer support for pupils before, during and after lessons.
• Support children and young people with a wide range of additional learning needs.
• Work 1:1, in small groups or within the wider classroom.
• Help pupils understand and participate in classroom activities.
• Support pupils with communication, emotional regulation and sensory needs.
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning.
• Support pupils with behaviours that may challenge using calm approaches.
• Assist teachers with classroom activities, resources and lesson preparation.
• Build positive relationships with pupils and staff; collaborate with therapists and other professionals.
• Promote each pupil's progress and love of learning.
• Participate in team meetings and school community activities.
• Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures.

Skills

Experience as TA

Communication skills

Patience and resilience

Energetic and proactive

Reliability and flexibility

English and Maths basics

Education

Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification

Job description

SEN Teaching Assistant

Croydon

£90 Per Day PAYE

We are looking for empathetic, energetic and reliable people to join the Starfyn Education Family in long-term, full-time SEN Teaching Assistant roles across our specialist schools in Croydon!

Starfyn Education works with a number of specialist SEN schools across Croydon supporting children and young people with a wide range of additional needs, including Autism (ASD), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), communication needs, complex needs and behaviours that may challenge.

Our schools focus on helping pupils develop not only academically, but also in areas such as communication, confidence, emotional regulation, independence, sensory development and life skills.

We are looking for people who genuinely want to make a positive difference to children and young people's lives. Previous experience working within a school, college or educational provision is preferable, although we will also consider candidates with strong transferable experience from care, childcare, youth work, supported living or personal experience of supporting individuals with additional needs.

The schools we support are welcoming, supportive and highly rewarding environments where staff are encouraged to build positive relationships with pupils and work closely with teachers, therapists and wider support teams.

If you are looking for a role where you can build a career within SEN education and make an AMAZING difference to others' lives, we would love to hear from you!

The Role

Employment Type – Agency (Either Long-Term, Temporary or Temporary to Permanent)

Days Required – Monday to Friday, Full-Time, Term Time Only

Pay – £90 per day PAYE

The Ideal Candidate will

To be considered for the role, previous experience working within a School, College or Educational Provision is preferable. However, we will also consider candidates who have some of the following:

• Previous experience working as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or SEN Support Worker.
• Experience working within a mainstream or specialist SEN school.
• Childcare experience through personal or professional environments.
• Special Needs experience through family, friends or professional settings.
• Experience supporting individuals with ASD, MLD, SLD, PMLD, SEMH or complex needs.
• Care, support work, youth work or supported living experience.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills with a genuine, caring attitude.
• A patient, calm and resilient approach.
• An energetic attitude and willingness to get involved wherever possible.
• Good general education levels in English and Maths.
• Flexibility and reliability.
• A willingness to learn and undertake additional SEN training.
• A genuine enthusiasm for helping children and young people achieve their potential.
• Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification or above is preferred but not essential.

Your Main Duties

• Offer support for pupils before, during and after lessons.
• Support children and young people with a wide range of additional learning needs.
• Work either 1:1, in small groups or within the wider classroom.
• Help pupils understand and participate in classroom activities.
• Support pupils with their communication, emotional regulation and sensory needs.
• Encourage independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning.
• Support pupils with behaviours that may challenge using calm and consistent approaches.
• Assist teachers with classroom activities, resources and lesson preparation where required.
• Build positive and professional relationships with pupils and staff.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals.
• Promote each pupil's individual progress and love of learning.
• Actively take part in team meetings and contribute to the wider school community.
• Always follow the school's Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures.
• Where required, support pupils with personal care, feeding, mobility or manual handling. Appropriate training will be provided where necessary.
• Inspire and engage children and young people with a wide range of additional needs.

As an agency worker you are only paid for the days you have worked. Therefore, you will not be paid during the school holidays.