Location: Great Baddow, Essex (flexibility required across Witham and Great Baddow sites)
Salary: MPS/UPS
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Are you a passionate and reflective teacher with experience supporting pupils with complex needs? Do you believe in creating a nurturing, structured environment where every child feels safe, understood, and able to thrive? We are seeking a dedicated Complex Needs Teacher to join a specialist SEND setting, working within the Holly Pathway. This role focuses on supporting pupils working at informal and semi-formal stages, including those with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), ASD, communication differences, sensory processing needs, and complex developmental profiles.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a therapeutic, relationship-focused environment where learning is personalised, meaningful, and paced to meet each pupil’s individual needs.
About the Role
As a Complex Needs Teacher, you will lead high-quality, sensory-attuned teaching that supports pupils to experience connection, regulation, and success. You will create a predictable, nurturing environment where pupils can develop communication, independence, and lifelong learning skills. The Holly Pathway places a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, functional communication, independence, sensory-based learning, and consistent routines that reduce cognitive load.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will plan and deliver personalised learning using sensory-based, relational, and developmental approaches, teaching through short, structured sessions, play-based learning, and hands-on experiences. You will support pupils across informal and semi-formal stages, using visuals, objects of reference, and structured routines to create a calm and predictable environment.
- You will embed EHCP outcomes, therapy targets, and communication goals into daily practice, helping pupils develop functional communication, emotional regulation, independence, engagement, and early learning skills.
- You will create a total communication environment, using tools such as Makaton, AAC, symbols, gestures, and personalised communication systems, working closely with Speech and Language Therapists to support each pupil’s development.
- You will also understand and support Natural Language Acquisition, recognising all forms of communication as meaningful.
- Supporting sensory and emotional regulation will be central to your role. You will use trauma-informed, low-arousal approaches, provide regular sensory breaks, and work closely with Occupational Therapists to implement personalised sensory strategies and regulation plans.
- You will assess progress holistically, tracking development in areas such as communication, engagement, independence, and emotional regulation through observations, photos, and reflective notes. You will contribute to EHCP reviews and multi-agency meetings, ensuring each pupil’s journey is well supported.
- Building strong, trusting relationships will be key. You will use co-regulation and relational approaches to support behaviour and emotional wellbeing, creating a safe and accepting learning environment.
- You will also lead and support Teaching Assistants and intervention staff, modelling best practice, ensuring consistency, and providing guidance and feedback to maintain high standards of support across the pathway.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a qualified teacher (QTS) with experience supporting pupils with SLD, ASD, or complex needs. You will have a strong understanding of sensory processing, trauma-informed practice, and total communication approaches, alongside the ability to create structured, low-demand learning environments. You will be calm, patient, reflective, and relational in your approach, with a genuine passion for supporting pupils with complex needs. Experience in specialist or therapeutic settings, as well as knowledge of AAC, Makaton, Natural Language Acquisition, sensory integration, or approaches such as Thrive, Attention Autism, or TEACCH, would be highly beneficial.
What the School Offers
The school offers a supportive, specialist environment where staff are valued and developed. You will benefit from extensive training opportunities, including Thrive, Safeguarding, and Essex Steps, alongside clear pathways for professional growth.
Additional benefits include a company pension, free onsite parking, free uniform, optional free lunches, and private healthcare after one year of service.
This is a rewarding opportunity to join a setting that truly prioritises relationships, wellbeing, and personalised learning, where you can make a lasting and meaningful difference every day.
If you are ready to take the next step in your SEND teaching career, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Harry at Parker Smith Inclusion to find out more.