Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Special Needs Teaching Assistant
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Full-time, long-term
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, term time only

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

GSL Education are currently recruiting for a Special Needs Teaching Assistant to join a specialist educational setting in York. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Teaching Assistant or someone with a strong background in supporting young people with additional needs who wants to make a genuine difference every day.

About the School

The school is a specialist educational setting supporting pupils with a wide range of additional needs and barriers to learning. It provides a number of bespoke provisions across the city, supporting pupils from primary through to secondary age.

The school takes a highly individualised approach to education, with pupils supported according to their specific strengths, needs and EHCP outcomes. Learning is delivered in smaller groups where appropriate, with strong levels of staff support and carefully structured timetables.

Across its provisions, the school supports pupils with needs including Autism, SEMH, complex learning needs, communication and interaction difficulties and anxiety. The focus is on helping pupils overcome barriers to learning while developing their confidence, independence, social skills and emotional regulation.

The school is committed to developing the whole child, alongside providing access to an ambitious and personalised curriculum.

The Role

As a Special Needs Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and the wider support team to help pupils access learning and develop both academically and personally.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with additional needs.
• Supporting pupils to access a broad and personalised curriculum.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting communication, interaction and social development.
• Helping pupils develop independence and confidence.
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour.
• Encouraging engagement and participation in learning.
• Adapting your approach to meet individual pupils' needs.
• Supporting classroom activities, interventions and practical learning.
• Working closely with teachers, SEN staff and other professionals.
• Providing a calm, consistent and nurturing presence throughout the school day.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• Patient, empathetic and resilient.
• Passionate about working with children and young people with SEND.
• Able to build strong and positive relationships.
• Calm and consistent in their approach.
• Confident supporting pupils with a range of additional needs.
• Able to adapt their communication and support to individual pupils.
• A strong team player who is willing to learn and develop.
• Committed to helping every pupil achieve their potential.

Previous experience within SEN, specialist education, Autism, SEMH, challenging behaviour, care, youth work or support work would be highly beneficial.

However, we would also welcome applications from candidates with transferable experience who can demonstrate the right attitude, resilience and commitment to supporting young people.

Why Work with GSL Education?

• Competitive rates of pay.
• Full-time, long-term opportunity.
• ASAP start available.
• Dedicated support from your GSL Education consultant.
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience within a specialist education setting.
• Opportunities to develop your SEN experience and career.
• A rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's lives.

If you are passionate about SEND and want to work in a supportive specialist setting where you can genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this Special Needs Teaching Assistant opportunity in York, starting ASAP.

GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, verification of references, qualifications and employment history, and other relevant checks in line with statutory guidance.