Therapy Assistant

Blossom House School; Guildford; On-site; GBP 27,008 - 29,350; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch Fridays

Wellbeing claims (termly)

Annual bonuses and pay rises

City & Guilds accredited training in 1

Makaton training

On-site parking

UK Healthcare cash plan

Job summary

Blossom House School is seeking a Therapy Assistant for a permanent, term-time role. The position runs Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:00, with a pro rata salary of £27,008–£29,350 depending on experience (term-time £23,150–£25,157 for 36 weeks).

Start is September 2026, working with children aged 3–11 with SEN, including Autism Spectrum disorders. You will join a supportive team of therapists and teachers, delivering an adapted curriculum in an outdoor farm setting, and promoting positive behaviour

Qualifications

• Candidates with hands-on learning experience and a passion for practical, outdoor education.
• Experience or interest in supporting children with more profound/SEN.
• Experience with symbolised communication systems (AAC) to aid language and learning.

Responsibilities

• Work within a trans-disciplinary team to support smooth transitions for students from Motspur Park to the new farm site at Pirbright.
• Co-create and deliver an adapted functional curriculum based on farm resources and outdoor therapy activities.
• Engage in outdoor learning, supporting daily farm tasks and therapeutic activities.

Skills

Hands-on learning

SEN experience

AAC knowledge

Resilience

Job description

Therapy Assistant

The role is Permanent, Term-Time (approx., 36 weeks per annum)

Monday to Friday (08:30 – 17:00)

Salary: £27,008 - £29,350 pro rata, depending on experience (£23,150 - £25,157 salary for term-time, 36 weeks pa).

To Start: September 2026

What the role involves

• Working closely in a trans-disciplinary team to ensure the young people experience a smooth transition from their current school site (Motspur Park) to the new farm site (Pirbright).
• Co-creating and delivering an adapted and pertinent functional curriculum based around the farm’s natural resources and opportunities and delivering learning opportunities through daily farm tasks and therapeutic outdoor activities.
• Getting your hands dirty and fully embracing the outdoor curriculum.

The ideal candidate will have

• Confidence, enthusiasm and a passion for hands‑on learning.
• Experience and/or interest in working with children with more profound/complex Special Education Needs.
• Experience or commitment to using symbolised communication systems (AAC) to support language and learning in the classroom.
• The ability to build good working relationships with children, teachers, parents and carers.
• The ability to promote positive behaviour in a nurturing environment is essential.
• A commitment to embracing outdoor learning and farm living.
• Knowledge and experience of supporting children with significant sensory integration difficulties.
• Supporting our students can sometimes be challenging, mental and physical resilience are qualities necessary for all our staff.
• Excellent English skills (clear written and spoken English) along with good reading, writing and numeracy skills.
• Experience of working with children with Special Education Needs (SEN), particularly children on the Autism Spectrum which includes the age group 3 – 11.
• Experience of providing personal self‑care support to pupils will be an advantage. Providing self‑care support on occasion is an important expectation of the role.
• The ability to manage a small group of children with complex social communication needs with patience and empathy.

We offer

• A supportive working environment in a modern, well‑equipped building.
• Small class sizes and the opportunity to work 1-1 with children where possible.
• Support from an enthusiastic and dedicated team of Therapy staff and Teachers who will work alongside you in the classroom. Our Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist, Art Therapists, Music Therapists, and Play Therapists aim to maximise each child’s potential in a nurturing and supportive environment.
• Continued professional development and training.
• The opportunity to obtain a City & Guilds accredited training course in Behaviour Support Management while working here. We will also train you on how to use Makaton, a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.
• An opportunity to pursue a career in Teaching or Therapy where applicable.
• Great staff non‑contractual benefits such as free lunch on Fridays, termly wellbeing claims, annual bonuses and pay rises and a friendly nurturing environment.
• Close to a good transport network and on‑site free parking is available.
• UK Healthcare cash plan designed to help cover your “day to day” healthcare expenditure such as Optical and Dental bills and offers cash back (up to policy limits) for a variety of different medical treatments. It also offers lifestyle benefits and discounted gym membership.

This role is subject to the relevant Safeguarding checks, which will include an Enhanced DBS check, the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.