Teacher Aide

Arohanui Special School; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

PD opportunities

Pastoral support

Team culture

Job summary

Arohanui Special School is seeking caring Teacher Aides to join our specialist school team on a permanent, part-time basis (25 hours per week during school terms). You will work with teachers and therapists to support students with diverse needs, including learning, communication and regulation challenges, across the school day.

The role emphasizes warmth, patience, and collaborative teamwork with whānau, following guidance from teachers and specialists.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or young people in relevant settings.
• Ability to assist with mobility, personal care, and supervision.
• Calm, patient, responsive in moments of dysregulation.
• Commitment to inclusion and working with whānau and teachers.

Responsibilities

• Support students to access learning programmes.
• Assist with personal care, health and safety needs as required.
• Support communication, social interaction and self-regulation.

Skills

Child experience

Mobility support

Emotional regulation support

Teamwork

Cultural inclusion

Job description

We are seeking caring, committed Teacher Aides to join our specialist school team on a permanent, part-time basis. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference for learners with diverse learning, communication, and regulation needs.

About the role

As a Teacher Aide, you will work closely with teachers and therapists to support students’ learning, wellbeing and participation across the school day. Our students have a range of additional needs, including intellectual disability, autism, communication differences and sensory or physical needs. Working hours are generally 9am to 2.30pm, 25 hours per week during the school terms.

We are looking for people who:

• Have experience working with children or young people (school, ECE, disability, health, youth, or community settings)
• Are physically fit and able to support students with mobility, personal care, and regulation needs (including lifting, positioning, and active supervision)
• Are calm, patient, and responsive, particularly during moments of emotional or sensory dysregulation
• Build warm, respectful relationships with students, your team and whānau
• Work well as part of a multidisciplinary team and follow guidance from teachers and specialists
• Demonstrate empathy, flexibility, and a strong commitment to inclusion and equity
• Value and respect the cultural identities of learners and whānau, including Te Ao Māori and the diverse cultures of Aotearoa

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting students to access learning programmes
• Assisting with personal care, health, and safety needs where required
• Supporting communication, social interaction, and self-regulation
• Implementing individual support plans and behaviour strategies
• Maintaining student dignity, wellbeing, and mana at all times

What we offer:

• A supportive, values-driven special school environment
• Ongoing professional learning and development
• A collaborative team culture with strong pastoral support
• Employment conditions aligned with the relevant collective agreement

Requirements:

• The right to work in New Zealand
• Relevant experience is essential; formal qualifications are an advantage but not required

If you are passionate about supporting learners with additional needs and want to be part of a school community that truly values aroha, inclusion, and teamwork, we would love to hear from you.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage those who reflect the rich diversity of our school community to apply. These positions have a start date of 2 February 2027.