Complex Needs Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEN School

Location: Leeds
Pay: £92.56 – £95 per day
Sector: SEND
Job Type: Full-time | Long-term Temporary – Permanent Opportunity

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with complex additional needs and helping them achieve their full potential?

Engage Education is currently recruiting for dedicated and compassionate Complex Needs Teaching Assistants to join a specialist SEN school in Leeds.

The school caters for both primary and secondary-aged pupils, all of whom have additional needs and require tailored support to access education, develop independence and build essential life skills.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with previous experience supporting individuals with complex needs, whether within a specialist school, mainstream SEND provision, care or healthcare setting.

The school is looking for committed individuals who are passionate about making a difference and are interested in a long-term opportunity, with the potential for a permanent position for the right candidate.

What will you be doing?

• Providing Individual Support: Working on a 1:1 basis and in small groups to support pupils with their individual learning and developmental needs.

• Supporting Complex Needs: Working with pupils who may have severe learning difficulties, Autism, physical disabilities, medical needs and communication difficulties.

• Personal Care: Assisting pupils with personal care routines, including toileting, changing and hygiene where required.

• Supporting Communication: Using appropriate communication methods and strategies to help pupils express their needs and interact with others.

• Promoting Independence: Encouraging pupils to develop essential life skills and become as independent as possible.

• Supporting Behaviour and Emotional Regulation: Providing reassurance, consistency and positive behaviour support to help pupils feel safe and settled.

• Encouraging Engagement: Supporting pupils to access classroom activities, sensory experiences and tailored learning opportunities.

• Working as Part of a Team: Collaborating with teachers, therapists and other support staff to ensure pupils receive consistent, high-quality care and education.

What are we looking for?

• Previous experience supporting individuals with complex needs, ideally within a specialist SEN school or similar setting.

• Experience supporting children or young people with Autism, severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or complex medical needs.

• Confidence and willingness to undertake personal care duties where required.

• A patient, caring and empathetic approach.

• The ability to remain calm and resilient when supporting pupils who may display distressed or challenging behaviours.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt your approach to individual needs.

• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with SEND.

• Reliability and a commitment to a full-time position.

Experience within healthcare, residential care, support work or specialist education would be particularly beneficial.

Why work with Engage Education?

At Engage Education, we are committed to supporting our staff and helping them develop rewarding careers in education.

• Competitive daily pay of £92.56 – £95.

• Full-time, long-term opportunity.

• Potential for a permanent position for the right candidate.

• Free CPD sessions and professional development opportunities.

• A dedicated consultant to support you throughout your placement.

• A £50 Amazon voucher when you successfully refer a friend, subject to eligibility.

• Wellbeing support, travel discounts and retail offers through our partners.

How to apply

If you have experience supporting individuals with complex needs and are looking for a rewarding full-time opportunity within a specialist SEN school, we’d love to hear from you!

All applicants must have appropriate experience, suitable professional references and a valid enhanced DBS check before starting work. Full assistance with the DBS process will be provided where required.

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