Autism Support Assistant - Specialist SEND School
Location: East London
Start Date: Immediate
Contract: Full-Time Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:00/16:30
Are you a dedicated support professional with experience working alongside autistic children and young people who require additional behavioural and emotional support?
Parker Smith Inclusion is partnering with a specialist SEND school seeking a compassionate and resilient Autism Support Assistant to become part of their committed team.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals who have supported pupils with autism and complex needs, particularly those with experience in SEMH settings, specialist schools, alternative provisions, or inclusion units.
We are looking for someone who can build meaningful relationships, promote positive outcomes, and understand the underlying causes of behaviours that may challenge.
About the Role
As an Autism Support Assistant, you will support pupils with a range of communication, sensory and emotional regulation needs. You will play a key role in helping students access learning, develop coping strategies and feel secure within the school environment.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Delivering tailored support to autistic pupils with additional behavioural needs.
- Identifying potential triggers and recognising signs of anxiety or dysregulation.
- Using positive intervention strategies to encourage engagement and participation.
- Supporting pupils through periods of emotional distress in a calm and consistent manner.
- Applying restorative and therapeutic approaches to behaviour support.
- Developing positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
- Collaborating effectively with teachers, therapists and wider support staff.
- Contributing to personalised support plans and behaviour strategies.
- Encouraging emotional wellbeing, independence and social development.
The Ideal Candidate
We would love to hear from candidates who have:
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with autism and complex behavioural needs.
- Worked within a specialist SEND setting, SEMH provision, inclusion unit, PRU or similar environment.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to stay calm and solution-focused in challenging situations.
- A good understanding of trauma-informed practice and neurodiversity.
- An empathetic and proactive approach to supporting young people.
- Confidence working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Qualifications or training such as Team Teach, MAPA, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Trauma-Informed Practice, or Autism Awareness would be advantageous but are not essential.
Why Join Parker Smith Inclusion?
At Parker Smith Inclusion, SEND is all we do. We work closely with schools to connect passionate professionals with meaningful opportunities where they can genuinely make a difference.
If you are an experienced behaviour support professional looking to further your career within a specialist autism setting, we would love to hear from you.
Kindly apply to this advert, or email your CV to bethany@psinclusion.co.uk.