BSL Teaching Assistant / Communication Support Worker
Brent, North West London
£95 PAYE per day, weekly payment
September start, full-time, term-time only
Have you started learning British Sign Language and found yourself wondering when someone would actually let you use it? Have you watched a child wait a beat too long for someone in the room to catch what their hands were saying?
Most people at Level 1 get told to come back once they are further along. This school takes a different view. What matters here is that you can sign, that you want to keep building that skill, and that you want to work alongside children who communicate differently to most.
The school
This is a mainstream primary school in West London with an attached specialist unit. The unit supports pupils across all primary year groups with Autism, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, and associated learning difficulties. Signing is part of everyday classroom life here, not an add-on for one lesson a week. You will use it every day, and you will keep getting better at it.
Staff in the unit work closely together. You will not be left to work out communication approaches on your own.
The role
You will spend your day moving between structured unit sessions and mainstream classes, adjusting how you communicate depending on what each pupil needs in that moment. Some days that means signing key instructions during carpet time. Other days it means sitting with one pupil who needs more time and more repetition to be understood, and staying with that until they are.
You will notice the small shifts. A pupil signing something unprompted for the first time. A child choosing to communicate instead of shutting down. You will understand why that matters, even on the days when progress looks small.
There is ongoing support to develop your BSL to Level 2 and beyond, built into the role rather than left to you to arrange.
Who this suits
Candidates with a Level 1 BSL qualification, or currently training towards Level 2. Psychology, education, or drama graduates. Youth workers and learning mentors. Anyone with a genuine interest in Deaf awareness and sign language, including those without prior school experience. Direct SEND experience is welcome but not essential.
This role is well placed for candidates travelling from Harrow, Wembley, Ealing, Kilburn, and Willesden.
If this sounds like the role you have been waiting for someone to offer you, send your up-to-date CV and let us know.
Parker Smith Inclusion is a specialist SEND recruitment agency. We put people first, taking the time to get to know you and finding the right career opportunity. We recruit across a wide range of SEND settings for all career stages, including support staff, teachers, therapists, and senior leaders. If you are keen to explore other opportunities, get in touch at heeji@psinclusion.co.uk or call Heeji on 0203 011 4848.