Special Needs Teaching Assistant – SEN School

Location: Leeds
Pay: £92.56–£95 per day
Hours: 08:30am – 15:30pm, Monday to Friday
Job Type: Full-time, Temp to Perm
Start Date: First or second week of November

About the Role

At Engage Education, we specialise in recruiting dedicated and passionate support staff for schools across Leeds. We are currently looking to appoint a caring, patient and enthusiastic Special Needs Teaching Assistant to work within a specialist SEN school in Leeds.

The school caters for children and young people aged 4–16 years, all with a range of additional needs. These include Autism, complex learning difficulties, challenging behaviours, medical needs, communication difficulties and pupils who are non-verbal or require personal care.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting children with additional needs and wants to make a genuine difference to their education, development and everyday lives.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have previous experience working within a special needs school or those who come from a care, healthcare or support work background and are looking to transfer their skills into education.

The Role

As a Special Needs Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and other support staff to provide tailored support to pupils with a variety of individual needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with a range of additional needs.

• Supporting children with Autism, complex learning difficulties and communication needs.

• Working with pupils who may display challenging behaviours, using a calm, patient and consistent approach.

• Supporting non-verbal pupils with their communication and interaction, using appropriate communication strategies.

• Assisting with personal care, including toileting, changing and other daily care routines where required.

• Supporting pupils with medical needs in line with their individual care plans and relevant training.

• Encouraging pupils to develop their independence, confidence and social skills.

• Helping children access classroom activities and engage with their learning.

• Creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels supported.

No two days will necessarily be the same, so being adaptable, resilient and responsive to the individual needs of each pupil is essential.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience working within a special needs school or supporting children with additional needs.

• Alternatively, experience within a care, support work, residential care or healthcare setting.

• Experience supporting individuals with Autism, learning disabilities, complex needs or challenging behaviours.

• Confidence supporting personal care routines where required.

• A patient, nurturing and empathetic approach.

• The ability to remain calm and consistent when managing challenging situations.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people to reach their full potential.

• Reliability and availability to commit to a full-time, Monday–Friday position.

Candidates with transferable care and support experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Previous experience in a school is desirable but not essential for those with relevant experience supporting individuals with additional needs.

What We Offer

• Full-time working hours, Monday to Friday, 08:30am–15:30pm.

• Competitive daily rate of £92.56–£95.

• Temp-to-perm opportunity, with the potential to secure a permanent position directly with the school.

• A welcoming and experienced school team.

• The opportunity to gain valuable experience within a specialist SEN setting.

• Dedicated support from your own Engage Education recruitment consultant.

• Opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Interested?

If you have experience supporting children or adults with additional needs and are looking for a rewarding opportunity within a specialist school, we would love to hear from you!

Whether you already have experience in an SEN school or are looking to bring your care and support work experience into education, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Apply today to find out more about this Special Needs Teaching Assistant opportunity in Leeds, with an anticipated start date in the first or second week of November.