Trainee Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Vision For Education Ltd.; Ledston; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Vision for Education is seeking enthusiastic Trainee Special Needs Teaching Assistants to work in Leeds partner schools with SEND and SEMH pupils. Typical hours are 8:00–3:30pm, Monday to Friday, with 3–5 days per week available.

You will undergo vetting, an Enhanced DBS check, references, and an interview process to explore your motivation and transferable skills. Training and ongoing support are provided.

Qualifications

• 3–5 days availability per week Monday–Friday 8:30am–3:30pm.
• Undergo vetting including full CV history back to compulsory education.
• Complete an interview process exploring reasons for looking to work in schools, exploring transferable skills and aptitude.
• Hold, or be prepared to undergo an Enhanced DBS, registered to the Update Service.
• Undergo a thorough referencing process.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SEND and SEMH in Leeds partner schools.
• Assist with learning, personal and pastoral needs of learners.
• Contribute to a proactive, supportive and involved classroom approach in busy environments.

Skills

Availability gaps

Enhanced DBS readiness

Interview process

Vetting process

CV history to education

Job description

Trainee Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Leeds

Requirements

To be considered for the Entry Level Special Needs Teaching Assistant role, you must:

• Have 3-5 days availability per week between Monday and Fridays 8.30am - 3.30pm
• Undergo a vetting process including providing full CV history back to compulsory education
• Complete an interview process exploring reasons for looking to work in schools, exploring your transferable skills and aptitude
• Hold, or be prepared to undergo an Enhanced DBS, registered to the Update Service
• Undergo a thorough referencing process

We are currently seeking enthusiastic, hardworking Trainee Special Needs Support Assistants to work within our partner schools in Leeds. The roles involve working in Special School, Specialist provision or PRU environments to effectively support children and young people with SEND and SEMH. The hours of work required are 8:00 - 3pm or 8:30am - 3.30pm, Monday - Friday.

The Special Needs Support Assistant involves supporting young people with learning, personal and pastoral needs. Schools cater with learners with SEND including PMLD, Complex needs, Autism and SEMH.

These are busy, active roles requiring a proactive, supportive, understanding and involved approach. No two days are the same! Vision for Education are able to provide training to support successful individuals with the drive and core skills to develop within this new context. We have many success stories introducing applicants to what may become their first permanant / contracted roles within the sector. Interested? Read on!

The School

The Trainee Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant role is based within one of a small number of schools in the Leeds area where you will be working specifically with SEND learners or young people with SEMH. Essential attributes are - a confident, personable, positive manner; calm approach; excellent role model; strong interpersonal skills. We are continually recruiting new staff members. If successful within post, there will be opportunities to move into full time, permanent roles.

Vision for Education is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff we register will undertake thorough interviewing and referencing checks and hold, or be prepared to undergo, an Enhanced DBS check that must be registered on the Update Service.

About Vision for Education

Vision for Education is a market-leading education recruitment and supply agency committed to the learning and development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high-quality primary, secondary and SEND teaching and support staff.

What Vision for Education Offer

As a valued employee of Vision for Education you will receive:

• Excellent daily rates paid weekly by our in-house Payroll team using the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
• Guaranteed pay scheme (subject to availability and qualifying criteria).
• Pension contributions (subject to a qualifying period).
• Full compliance with AWR (Agency Workers’ Regulations), to make sure you get the pay and working conditions you are entitled to.
• FREE training to help with your professional development such as Team Teach training, online webinars and safeguarding and child protection updates.
• Generous refer a friend or colleague bonus scheme.
• Access to a dedicated consultant, who will provide ongoing support.

The Edwin Group is voted a top UK-employer in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026. Rated as 'Excellent' by our staff in all categories and recognised as having industry leading and world-class levels of employee engagement across the Group.