Trainee Child Support Worker - Special Education

Axcis Education Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational recruitment agency is looking for a Trainee SEN Support Worker in Bristol. This role involves supporting children with profound learning difficulties in a specialized environment. Candidates should have natural empathy and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include assisting with personal care and facilitating learning and therapeutic activities. The position offers a salary of £450/week, with a focus on personal and professional growth in a supportive and inclusive setting. Start date is September 2025 or ASAP for the right candidate.

Benefits

£50 shopping vouchers for referrals

Qualifications

• Comfortable adapting to individual student needs.
• Experience working with children and young people with additional needs preferred.
• Ability to assist with personal care responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils in learning and care-based activities.
• Encourage communication using tools like PECS and Makaton.
• Facilitate outdoor learning and movement sessions.

Skills

Natural empathy

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Resilience

Curiosity for professional growth

Job description

Trainee SEN Support Worker - Bristol: An opportunity to start a meaningful career in Special Education. Start Date: September 2025 (or ASAP for the right candidate). Hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Pay: From £450/week.

You’ll be working in a specialist all-through school that supports children and young people aged 4 to 19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), often alongside complex medical needs or challenging behaviours. The school’s ethos prioritises inclusion, collaboration, wellbeing, and a culture of safety and connection.

Responsibilities

As a Trainee Child Support Worker you’ll be embedded in a class team, supporting pupils in both learning and care-based activities. Your role is to build trusted, consistent relationships that help them engage in a safe and empowering way.

• Supporting pupils with a highly individualised curriculum that caters to sensory and developmental needs.
• Helping pupils access creative and therapeutic activities such as music, art, hydrotherapy, and play.
• Working closely with speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and other specialists to deliver joined‑up support.
• Encouraging communication using a range of tools (PECS, Makaton, AAC).
• Facilitating outdoor learning and movement-based sessions.
• Providing personal care, feeding and transitions throughout the day.
• Creating moments of joy and play in spaces such as a soft playroom, sensory garden or ball pool.

Curriculum Overview

Early Years and Primary (4–11): Play‑based, sensory‑rich, nurturing; focus on early communication, regulation, and routine.

Secondary (11–16): Emphasis on life skills, communication, independence and emotional literacy; includes community interaction, cooking, creative arts and physical development.

Post‑16 (16–19): Pathway into adulthood with supported work skills, travel training and real‑life preparation.

Who this role is for

• Natural empathy, calm and grounded.
• Confident communicators who can build trust with young people.
• Willing to learn, get stuck in and work as part of a team.
• Resilient and reflective – able to manage big emotions and stay centred.
• Curious and open to professional growth.

Why choose this school

• Leadership team that prioritises wellbeing and long‑term development.
• Multi‑agency team including SALTs, OTs and play therapists.
• Inclusive values with no exclusion policy and a trauma‑informed approach.
• Creative, well‑equipped spaces – sensory rooms, therapy suites, art and music zones, outdoor classrooms.
• A culture where everyone belongs.

For more details, contact Laura Dowson on 0117 472 2400, Extension 2014.

Contact: Laura Dowson
Telephone: [phone] Ext 2014

Bonus: We offer £50 shopping vouchers for referrals that result in a placement.

Axcis is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, race or other equal opportunities criteria. The position requires a DBS check and other compliance checks in line with DfE guidelines. The role is temporary unless otherwise stated.