2:1 SEND Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEND Settings

Connex Education; New Jersey; On-site; USD 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible day-to-day supply

Short- and long-term placements

Temp-to-perm opportunities

Weekly PAYE payments

Job summary

Connex Education Partnership is recruiting a resilient 2:1 SEND Teaching Assistant to support pupils with complex needs in specialist settings across Gloucester. You will work with teachers, therapists and support staff to provide consistent, individualised assistance and help learners access the curriculum.

The role involves supporting students with autism, SEMH, communication needs and challenging behaviour, requiring patience, emotional resilience and a proactive approach to regulation and

Qualifications

• Must have experience supporting pupils with complex needs in specialist SEND settings.
• Ability to build calm, structured environments and respond to challenging behaviours.
• Confidence in using de-escalation strategies and personalised support plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 2:1 support throughout the school day.
• Collaborate with teachers and specialists to plan individualised support.
• Build trusting relationships to help pupils regulate emotions and access learning.
• Identify triggers and respond promptly to signs of dysregulation.
• Support transitions between lessons and activities with minimal disruption.

Skills

2:1 SEND support

Calm under pressure

Emotional resilience

Job description

2:1 SEND Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEND Settings

Location: Gloucester
Pay: £95 – £110 per day PAYE
Job Type: Flexible Supply, Temporary, Long-Term & Temp-to-Perm Opportunities
Start Date: September 2026

Connex Education Partnership is looking for resilient, patient and compassionate 2:1 SEND Teaching Assistants to support children and young people who require a higher level of individualised support within specialist schools and SEND settings across Gloucester and the surrounding areas.

These roles are suited to candidates who are confident supporting pupils with complex needs, heightened emotional responses, distressed behaviour, communication difficulties and behaviours that may present a risk to themselves or others.

We offer flexible day-to-day supply, short- and long-term placements and temp-to-perm opportunities, giving you the flexibility to find a role that suits your experience and availability.

The Role

As a 2:1 SEND Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with another member of staff, teachers and specialist professionals to provide consistent, structured and individualised support to a pupil who requires enhanced staffing.

Pupils requiring 2:1 support may present with a range of needs and behaviours, including:

• Autism / ASC and significant communication difficulties
• SEMH and difficulties with emotional regulation
• Challenging or distressed behaviour
• Behaviour that can present a risk to themselves or others
• Heightened anxiety, frustration or sensory overload
• Physical or verbal behaviours when dysregulated
• Difficulties with transitions, routines or changes
• Impulsive or unpredictable behaviour
• ADHD and difficulties with attention and self-regulation
• SLD / PMLD and complex learning needs
• Sensory processing needs
• Complex communication needs
• Physical, medical or personal care requirements
• Difficulties developing relationships and social interaction

The role is not simply about managing behaviour. You will play an important part in understanding the reasons behind a pupil’s behaviour, reducing triggers, supporting regulation and helping them develop positive strategies for managing their emotions and accessing learning.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing consistent 2:1 support throughout the school day
• Working collaboratively with another Teaching Assistant to maintain a calm and structured environment
• Building a trusting and positive relationship with the pupil
• Supporting pupils to recognise and regulate their emotions
• Identifying potential triggers and responding proactively to signs of dysregulation
• Supporting transitions between lessons, activities and environments
• Using agreed behaviour support and de-escalation strategies
• Responding calmly and appropriately during incidents of challenging behaviour
• Supporting pupils who may display physical or verbal behaviours when distressed
• Helping pupils access an individualised curriculum
• Encouraging communication, independence and functional life skills
• Supporting sensory regulation and therapeutic activities
• Following individual behaviour, education, care and support plans
• Working closely with teachers, therapists, pastoral staff and specialist teams
• Maintaining clear professional boundaries and consistent expectations
• Supporting a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment

Who Are We Looking For?

We are particularly interested in candidates who are calm under pressure, emotionally resilient and able to remain consistent when supporting challenging or unpredictable behaviour.

Experience in the following areas would be highly beneficial:

• 2:1 or enhanced SEND support
• Specialist schools or SEND settings
• SEMH or behavioural settings
• Autism / ASC
• Challenging behaviour
• Emotional regulation
• De-escalation and positive behaviour support
• Complex needs
• Communication difficulties
• Sensory processing needs
• Care or support work – Mental Health Settings
• Residential or youth work
• Alternative provision
• Prison / Young Offenders
• Therapeutic or intervention settings

Team-Teach or other positive behaviour management training is highly welcomed.

We are happy to consider candidates from care, support work, residential, youth work, mental health support or other relevant backgrounds but you must have the right approach and evidence you are looking to move into specialist education.

Why Work With Connex Education Partnership?

• Competitive daily PAYE rates
• Flexible specialist SEND supply opportunities
• Day-to-day, short-term and long-term placements
• Temp-to-perm opportunities
• Weekly PAYE payments – no umbrella companies
• Access to our SEND Toolkit and professional development resources
• Funded formal qualifications and training opportunities
• Dedicated SEND specialist consultant
• Ongoing support throughout your assignments
• Opportunities across a range of specialist schools and SEND settings

If you are resilient, calm, consistent and passionate about helping children with complex needs overcome barriers to learning, we’d love to hear from you.

Connex Education Partnership is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.

Connex Education Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and candidates to share this commitment. We adhere to Safer Recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and other relevant legislation. All appointments are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.