Complex Needs Teaching Assistant
Location: East London
Pay: £85–£100 per day (PAYE)
Contract: Full-time, term-time | Long-term role
“Not all classrooms speak in words — some speak in stillness, gestures, and trust.”
Tucked away in East London is a specialist school where connection goes beyond conversation. Here, students with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are supported not just with structure and care, but with attentiveness, gentleness, and time.
This is a setting where learning is deeply sensory, and communication takes many forms — eye movements, facial expressions, soft sounds. You won’t need to raise your voice. You’ll learn instead to listen with your full attention and respond with calm, steady presence.
What This Role Involves:
You’ll be part of a close-knit team supporting students 1:1 or in small groups, focusing on comfort, connection, and engagement. It’s meaningful work, guided by care plans and collaborative practice.
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Assisting with sensory-led learning and therapy activities
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Using communication aids such as eye gaze, PECS, switches, and visual timetables
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Supporting with personal care (toileting, feeding, hoisting – full training given)
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Helping students regulate and feel emotionally and physically safe
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Offering consistency in a world that can sometimes feel unpredictable or overwhelming
Who This Role is For:
You don’t need formal experience — just the emotional maturity and compassion to be present, patient, and observant.
This role could be ideal for:
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Those with backgrounds in care, youth work, or SEND (desirable but not essential)
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People with a calm, nurturing demeanour who want to support others in a meaningful way
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Reflective individuals who value teamwork and want to grow personally and professionally
You’ll be joining a school that values its staff as much as its students. Ongoing training, team collaboration, and thoughtful leadership mean you’re never expected to “just get on with it” — you’re supported, encouraged, and heard.
Why Join Through Parker Smith Inclusion?
We specialise in SEND and take time to understand both the schools and the individuals we work with. With hundreds of five-star reviews and a track record of successful long-term matches, we’re here for the whole journey — not just the first placement.
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Honest, supportive advice tailored to your goals
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PAYE only – no umbrella companies or hidden costs
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Long-term opportunities in well-regarded, specialist settings
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Thoughtful, values-led recruitment that prioritises fit and fulfilment
Interested in finding out more?
Send your CV to Elisha at elisha@psinclusion.co.uk and we’ll help you explore if this is the right step for you.
Sometimes the most impactful work happens in the quietest spaces. If that speaks to you — we’d love to hear from you.