Location: Chichester
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:45am–3:15pm
Friday: 2:00pm finish
Contract: Full-time, term-time
Role: Learning Support Assistant / Teaching Assistant
Daily Rate: £93 per day
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?
Do you have a caring, patient and hands-on approach and want to make a genuine difference to young people with a wide range of additional needs?
We are working with a specialist SEND school in Chichester, supporting pupils from early years through to post-16. The school provides a highly personalised and nurturing environment for children and young people with complex learning difficulties and a range of physical, medical, communication and sensory needs.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to develop their SEND experience while working as part of a supportive and experienced team.
As a Learning Support Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider support team to provide personalised educational, physical, social and emotional support to pupils throughout the school day.
Your responsibilities will include:
Supporting pupils to access their individualised learning
Working 1:1, in small groups and as part of a class team
Supporting communication and social development
Encouraging pupils to develop independence and confidence
Supporting pupils with emotional and behavioural needs
Helping pupils participate in classroom, practical and sensory activities
Supporting personal care where required
Supporting mobility and physical needs where appropriate
Following individual education, communication and therapy programmes
Building positive and trusting relationships with pupils
Working closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals
Supporting pupils to develop life skills and personal autonomy
Encouraging pupils to celebrate their achievements and make progress towards their individual goals
The school uses a range of specialist approaches and communication methods, including visual timetables, Makaton, symbols, switches, Objects of Reference and Intensive Interaction, depending on the individual needs of each pupil.
The school supports pupils with a wide range of complex needs, including:
Autism
Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)
Complex learning difficulties
Communication difficulties
Complex medical needs
Epilepsy
Physical disabilities
Visual and hearing impairments
Down syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Sensory needs
Some pupils may have limited verbal communication and require alternative or augmentative communication methods.
Experience supporting children or young people with communication difficulties, complex SEND, autism or challenging behaviour would be a real advantage.
Experience of supporting personal care or physical needs is also desirable, although full training and support will be provided where required.
We’re looking for someone who is:
Caring, patient and compassionate
Passionate about supporting children and young people with SEND
Comfortable working with complex needs
Able to build strong, trusting relationships
Calm and consistent when faced with challenging situations
Proactive and willing to get involved
Adaptable and able to respond to individual pupil needs
Comfortable working as part of a wider team
Reliable and committed
Willing to learn and develop their SEND knowledge
Positive and encouraging, celebrating even the smallest steps of progress
Previous specialist SEND experience is desirable but not essential.
We would consider candidates from a range of backgrounds, including Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Support Workers, Care Workers, Residential Support Workers, SEN Nannies, Healthcare Assistants or anyone with relevant experience supporting children or young people with additional needs.
This is not a traditional classroom environment. Every pupil has their own individual strengths, needs and goals, meaning that personalised support is at the heart of everything the school does.
The school works closely with a range of professionals, including Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, specialist nurses, psychologists and sensory impairment specialists.
You’ll therefore have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and develop a strong understanding of specialist SEND approaches.
The school also places a strong emphasis on life skills, independence and preparation for adulthood, particularly for older pupils. This can include community activities, work experience, college links and practical learning.
If you’re looking for a role where small achievements really matter, this could be a fantastic opportunity.
Whether it’s helping a pupil communicate something for the first time, encouraging greater independence or simply building a trusting relationship with a child who needs additional support, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
You don’t need to have experience with every area of SEND. What matters most is that you are kind, patient, resilient and genuinely want to help young people reach their potential.
Best Fit, Every Time.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please get in touch with Pink Tile Education to register and discuss the role further.
The advertised daily rate of £93 is inclusive of 12.07% PAYE holiday pay.
We work closely with our schools and candidates to ensure the Best Fit, Every Time.
All candidates are subject to our usual safeguarding and compliance checks, including an enhanced DBS check and references.
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