Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Autism & Complex Needs)

Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Autism & Complex Needs) ⭐

Bradford (BD9)
Full-Time | Monday–Friday | Long-Term Role | Temp-to-Perm Opportunity | Immediate Start

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with Autism and complex needs?

Do you have experience in SEND, care, support work, autism services, residential care, early years, healthcare, youth work, mental health, or specialist education?

We are currently recruiting Specialist Learning Support Assistants (Autism & Complex Needs) to join a highly respected specialist Autism provision in Bradford, supporting pupils aged 3–19 years with Autism, Communication & Interaction needs, and complex learning difficulties.

This is a rewarding opportunity for nurturing, resilient and committed individuals who are passionate about helping children and young people develop communication, independence, confidence, and emotional regulation in a specialist setting.

No two days are the same; every day is an opportunity to make a genuine difference.

About the School

This well-established specialist setting supports children and young people with:

Autism
Complex communication needs, including non-verbal learners
Sensory processing differences
Social, emotional and behavioural needs
Learning difficulties and additional complex needs

The school provides a structured, nurturing and highly supportive environment, where learning is tailored to each pupil’s developmental stage and individual needs.

Staff work closely together to support pupils with:

Communication development
Emotional regulation
Independence and life skills
Social interaction and relationship building
Access to learning through personalised approaches

You will join an experienced and welcoming team committed to delivering meaningful support to every learner.

As a Specialist Learning Support Assistant, you will support pupils across a range of ages and developmental stages within the school.

Many pupils require support with communication, emotional regulation, sensory needs, routines, and accessing learning, often through play-based, developmental, or highly personalised approaches, similar to EYFS and early learning frameworks, regardless of chronological age.

You will work alongside teachers, therapists and specialist staff to create positive learning experiences and support pupils to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Support children and young people with Autism and complex needs
Build positive, trusting and nurturing relationships with pupils
Support learners with communication differences, including non-verbal communication
Assist pupils in accessing learning through personalised strategies
Support emotional regulation, sensory needs and social interaction
Encourage independence, confidence and life skills
Use calm, consistent and proactive approaches to support behaviours linked to communication or sensory needs
Adapt support to meet individual developmental and learning needs
Provide personal care where required
Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and specialist SEND staff
Contribute to creating a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment
Ideal Candidate

We welcome applicants from backgrounds including:

Autism Support Worker
SEND Teaching Assistant
Learning Support Assistant
Care Worker
Residential Support Worker
Behaviour Mentor
Mental Health Support Worker
Youth Worker
Nursery Practitioner / Early Years Practitioner
Healthcare Assistant
Support Worker
SEN Practitioner
Specialist Education Support

You may be a great fit if you have:

✔ Experience supporting children, young people or adults with Autism or additional needs
✔ Experience within SEND, care, residential, healthcare or support settings
✔ A calm, patient and nurturing approach
✔ Understanding of communication differences and sensory needs
✔ Emotional resilience and adaptability
✔ Strong teamwork and communication skills
✔ A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with complex needs

Relevant personal or lived experience is also highly valued.

What We Offer
Full-time, long-term opportunity
Monday to Friday working hours
Temp-to-perm potential
Immediate start available
Supportive and experienced specialist school team
Valuable experience within Autism and complex needs education
Ongoing development within SEND and specialist support
Opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day
Job Details

Role: Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Autism & Complex Needs)
Location: Bradford (BD9)
Hours: Full-Time | Monday–Friday
Contract: Long-term with temp-to-perm opportunity
Start Date: Immediate start available

Apply Now

If you are passionate about supporting children and young people with Autism, communication needs and complex learning differences, and want to build a rewarding career within specialist education, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to discuss this Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Autism & Complex Needs) opportunity in Bradford further.