Complex Needs Teaching Assistant, Wakefield

Complex Needs Teaching Assistant(Autism, SLCN & Behaviour Support) – KS3 & KS4
📍 Wakefield
🕒 Full-time (Mon–Fri) | Long-term | Temp-to-Perm Opportunity
🚀 Immediate Start Available

We are recruiting on behalf of a specialist secondary provision in Wakefield that provides high-quality support and education for students in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 with Autism, Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), SEMH needs, and additional complex learning needs. This welcoming and highly supportive setting is seeking a dedicated Complex Needs Support Worker who is patient, resilient, and passionate about helping young people thrive both academically and emotionally.

About the School

This well-established specialist secondary provision supports students who require highly personalised support to access learning, regulate emotions, and develop independence, communication, and social skills. Many students have Autism, communication difficulties, sensory needs, and social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The setting prides itself on creating a calm, structured, and nurturing environment where consistency, positive relationships, and tailored interventions help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Staff work collaboratively to encourage resilience, independence, and positive behaviour through clear routines and relationship-focused support strategies.

The Role

As a Complex Needs Support Worker, you will work closely with students across KS3 and KS4, supporting them throughout the school day both within lessons and during intervention sessions. You will help students engage in learning, regulate emotions, develop communication skills, and build confidence and independence.

You will support students both in the classroom and around the wider school environment, helping them transition calmly between lessons, remain focused during learning activities, and access interventions successfully. Some students may present with dysregulated behaviour linked to sensory or communication difficulties, requiring calm, consistent, and empathetic support approaches.

The successful candidate will be adaptable, proactive, and confident building trusting relationships with young people who may require additional emotional and behavioural support.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting students with Autism, SLCN, SEMH, and additional complex needs
• Assisting students within KS3 and KS4 classrooms and intervention sessions
• Supporting emotional regulation, communication, social interaction, and engagement in learning
• Helping students transition calmly between lessons and around the school environment
• Encouraging organisation, independence, and resilience within learning
• Managing behaviours linked to sensory needs, anxiety, and communication difficulties using calm and consistent approaches
• Providing positive behaviour support and using de-escalation strategies where appropriate
• Supporting students during moments of dysregulation or crisis in a safe and professional manner
• Building strong, positive relationships that support student confidence and development
• Working collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, therapists, parents, and wider multidisciplinary staff
• Creating a safe, structured, and engaging learning environment for all students

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting children or young people with Autism, SLCN, SEMH, or additional needs (personal or professional experience considered)
• Background in support work, care, SEN, youth work, education, or a related field
• A calm, patient, and nurturing approach
• Confidence managing challenging or dysregulated behaviour in a supportive and professional manner
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to build positive relationships and act as a strong role model for students
• Reliability, resilience, and a genuine passion for inclusive education
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and professional boundaries

Additional Information

• Full-time role (Monday–Friday)
• Immediate start available
• Long-term opportunity with potential for a permanent contract

If you are passionate about supporting young people with additional needs and want to make a meaningful difference within a specialist secondary setting, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this rewarding opportunity.