Autism Behaviour Support Assistant – Specialist SEND School

Location: Newham
Start Date: Immediate
Contract: Full-time

Parker Smith Inclusion is working in partnership with a specialist school for autistic pupils to recruit an experienced Autism Behaviour Support Assistant to join their team immediately.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who understands that behaviour is a form of communication and is passionate about helping staff develop the right strategies to support autistic pupils safely, consistently and with dignity.

This is not a classroom-based role. Instead, you will work across the school, supporting and guiding Teaching Assistants with behaviour management strategies, contributing to individual behaviour support plans and helping staff implement consistent, effective approaches throughout the setting.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in specialist behaviour settings, PRUs or schools supporting pupils with complex behavioural needs.

The Role

Working alongside the school's wider team, you will play an important role in strengthening behaviour support across the provision. You will help staff understand the reasons behind behaviours of concern, develop their confidence in responding to challenging situations and ensure that strategies are implemented consistently.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting, guiding and mentoring Teaching Assistants in the implementation of effective behaviour support strategies.
• Contributing to the development, review and implementation of individual behaviour support plans.
• Helping staff understand the function of behaviour and identify potential triggers, communication needs and environmental factors.
• Promoting proactive approaches to reduce distress, support emotional regulation and prevent escalation wherever possible.
• Advising colleagues on appropriate de-escalation techniques and safe responses when pupils become dysregulated.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, senior leaders and other professionals to review strategies and improve outcomes.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of behaviour plans and feeding back on progress, patterns and areas for development.
• Promoting a consistent, person-centred and autism-informed approach across the school.
• Supporting staff to reflect on practice, build confidence and respond to pupils with patience, empathy and consistency.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is confident, resilient and passionate about improving the quality of behaviour support for autistic pupils.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with autistic pupils and/or children and young people with complex behavioural needs.
• Experience in a PRU, SEMH school, specialist behaviour provision or similar setting.
• Confidence supporting and guiding other staff, sharing strategies and promoting consistent practice.
• An understanding of behaviour as communication, including the impact of sensory needs, communication differences, anxiety and environmental triggers.
• Knowledge of proactive behaviour support, de-escalation and emotional regulation strategies.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure and support colleagues during difficult situations.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the confidence to offer constructive advice and feedback.

Team Teach, Positive Handling or equivalent training would be highly desirable, but is not essential. We are also keen to hear from candidates with relevant practical experience who are willing to develop their skills further.

What Matters Most?

This role is suited to someone who wants to make a difference beyond supporting an individual pupil in the classroom. You will be helping to develop staff practice, strengthen behaviour support across the school and create an environment where autistic pupils feel understood, safe and supported.

We are looking for someone who approaches behaviour with curiosity rather than judgement, understands the importance of consistency and believes that effective support begins with understanding the individual child.

Apply Today

This is a full-time position available for an immediate start, so we are keen to speak with suitable candidates as soon as possible.

If you have experience supporting behaviour in a specialist school, PRU or SEMH setting and would like to use your knowledge to help develop the practice of others, we would love to hear from you.

Contact Elise @ Parker Smith Inclusion today to discuss the opportunity.

Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people you will be required to complete a child & adult DBS check if you do not currently hold one on the update service. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks.