EYFS Complex Needs Teaching Assistant - Camden

Camden, Central London
Full-time | Long-term | Potentially up to one academic year
Early Years / Nursery | Complex SEND

I am working with an inclusive primary school in Camden that is looking for an experienced EYFS Complex Needs Teaching Assistant to provide consistent support for a nursery-aged child with significant additional needs.

This is a role for someone who is already confident working with high-needs SEND and understands the importance of stability, patience and consistency for a child who is currently finding the demands of a school environment difficult.

The child is non-verbal, requires a high level of individual support and can present with behaviour that becomes physical when dysregulated. Personal care is also an important part of the role.

The priority for the school is finding the right adult who can build trust, provide a calm and predictable presence, and help the child access nursery as safely and successfully as possible.

The role

You will initially provide close support to a nursery-aged pupil with complex SEND needs.

Responsibilities will include:

• Providing consistent 1:1 support throughout the nursery session

• Supporting a non-verbal child with communication and engagement

• Helping the pupil regulate during periods of distress or dysregulation

• Responding calmly and appropriately when behaviour becomes physically challenging

• Supporting transitions, routines and changes throughout the day

• Providing personal care, including nappy changing, alongside another member of staff

• Working closely with nursery staff and the wider SEND team

• Observing the pupil carefully to develop a better understanding of possible triggers and communication

• Supporting the pupil's safety, wellbeing and access to learning

• Communicating professionally with the child's family and school staff

The pupil is currently attending for part of the school day, although the intention is for them to access a fuller timetable where appropriate. The longer-term educational placement is also being considered, so the successful candidate will need to be comfortable working flexibly as the pupil's needs develop.

There may also be opportunities to support elsewhere within the school when the child is not attending.

Who would suit this role?

This is not an entry-level SEND position.

The school is particularly interested in candidates who have previously supported children with significant or complex additional needs.

Essential:

• Previous experience supporting children with SEND

• Confidence supporting behaviour that can become physical

• Comfortable providing personal care

• A calm and emotionally resilient approach

• Strong communication and observational skills

• The ability to provide consistent boundaries and routines

• A patient, nurturing and professional manner

Particularly relevant experience could include:

• Complex needs

• Autism

• Non-verbal pupils

• Early Years SEND

• Challenging behaviour

• Personal care

• Special school or specialist provision experience

• Learning Support Assistant or SEN Teaching Assistant experience

• Support work or care experience involving children with additional needs

Why consider this role?

For the right person, this is an opportunity to provide something the pupil particularly needs at the moment: consistency.

Rather than supporting a large group of pupils, you will have the opportunity to get to know one child's communication, behaviours, routines and needs in depth.

Your support could play an important part in helping the child feel safer within education while the school and family consider the most appropriate longer-term provision.

The school is looking for someone experienced enough to understand that progress may be gradual, and that success might initially look like increased trust, improved regulation, greater engagement or simply being able to remain in nursery for longer periods.

Parker Smith Inclusion

Parker Smith Inclusion is a specialist SEND recruitment consultancy, and I work specifically with schools across Camden to recruit experienced professionals for children and young people with additional needs.

I will speak with you openly about the demands of the role before putting you forward, so you can make an informed decision about whether the opportunity is right for you.

Where applicable, placements are paid through PAYE.

Interested?

If you are an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, SEND Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or complex needs support professional and have the confidence and patience required for this type of role, I would be very interested in speaking with you.

Please apply and I will contact suitable candidates to discuss the pupil's needs and the position in more detail.

Safeguarding: Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to relevant vetting, satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.