Autism Teaching Assistant – SEND Unit (ASC & Complex Needs)

Location: Hammersmith 
Pay: £90 – £100 per day (PAYE only)
Contract: Full-time, long-term (term-time only)
Start Date: ASAP

A Role for People Who Truly Understand Autism and SEND

This is not a general classroom support role.

This is a specialist position for people who genuinely understand autism, communication differences, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. It is for people who know that progress does not always look like neat worksheets and quiet classrooms. It looks like trust being built, routines being learned, communication slowly emerging, and children feeling safe enough to engage.

If you have real SEND experience and you are drawn to work that is meaningful, demanding, and deeply rewarding, this role will resonate with you.

The Setting

You will be working within a specialist SEND unit supporting pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition and associated needs. Pupils may also present with:

• Communication and interaction differences

• Sensory processing needs

• ADHD

• SEMH needs

• Learning difficulties

• Emotional dysregulation

• Trauma-related needs

The environment is structured, calm, and highly adapted to support regulation, communication, and access to learning. Visual supports, predictable routines, sensory strategies, and consistent approaches are central to daily practice.

Your Role

As an Autism Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with class teachers and the wider SEND team to support pupils’ learning, wellbeing, and development.

You will support pupils to:

• Access learning in a way that works for them

• Develop communication, independence, and emotional regulation

• Engage with routines, transitions, and structured activities

• Build confidence, self-esteem, and social understanding

Support will be delivered through a combination of 1:1 work and small group support.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

You will:

• Support pupils with autism and associated needs to access learning and daily routines

• Use autism-informed strategies to support communication, sensory regulation, and engagement

• Follow individual support plans, behaviour plans, and risk assessments consistently

• Support emotional regulation and respond calmly to dysregulation or distress

• Help create a calm, safe, and predictable learning environment

• Prepare learning spaces, visual supports, and sensory resources

• Support transitions between activities and environments

• Observe pupil progress, engagement, and wellbeing and share feedback with staff

• Support pupils with personal care where required, including toileting, dressing, feeding, and hygiene, in a respectful and dignified way

• Use agreed approaches to behaviour and emotional support consistently

• Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, and external professionals

The Reality of the Role

This work is highly rewarding, but it is also emotionally and physically demanding.

Some pupils will struggle with communication. Some will become dysregulated. Some days will feel challenging. Progress can be slow and non-linear. You need to be someone who can stay calm, patient, and consistent even when situations are difficult.

People who thrive in this role are resilient, emotionally intelligent, reflective, and genuinely committed to SEND. They are not here for an easy day. They are here because this work matters to them.

Who This Role Is For

This role is for people who:

• Have genuine SEND experience, professionally or personally

• Understand autism beyond surface-level training

• Are calm, patient, and emotionally aware

• Can build trusting relationships with vulnerable pupils

• Are comfortable supporting pupils with personal care needs

• Can follow structure, routines, and consistent approaches

• Want to build a career in SEND, not just find any job

This role is not suitable for candidates looking for general classroom experience or a stepping stone without a real interest in SEND.

What We Are Looking For

Essential:

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND

• Experience supporting pupils with autism

• Emotional resilience and strong emotional intelligence

• A calm, patient, and empathetic approach

• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing

• Willingness to support personal care when required

Desirable:

• Experience in a SEND unit or specialist provision

• Experience supporting EHCPs

• Knowledge of sensory regulation strategies

• Experience with visual supports and structured work systems

• Experience supporting non-verbal pupils or AAC

Safeguarding and Professional Standards

Safeguarding is central to this role. You will be expected to follow statutory safeguarding guidance and promote a culture of safety, respect, and inclusion at all times.

Why Work With PSI

PSI is a transparent and ethical SEND specialist recruitment consultancy. We work exclusively within SEND and place people into roles where they can genuinely make a difference.

We will always:

• Be honest about the realities of the role

• Match candidates carefully to settings

• Pay PAYE only

• Support you throughout your placement

This is not about filling a vacancy. It is about finding the right person for the right pupils.

If you have the right experience, mindset, and genuine interest in supporting autistic children, this role offers the chance to be part of something that truly matters.

If you're interested please reach out to Luke on 02030114848 or luke.falzon@psinclusion.co.uk