Nurture Teacher – Special School
Location: South West london
Salary: £40,317 – £62,496 per annum (Inner London MPS/UPS)
Contract: Full-time
Start Date: September 2026
Are you a teacher ready to move beyond the mainstream, where your skill, patience and presence can shape the futures of children who have often been let down by the system?
This Nurture Teacher role in South West is based within a growing specialist school supporting pupils aged 7–16 with Autism (ASC) and associated Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. A key focus of this role is rebuilding each pupil's relationship with education — creating the safety, structure and trust that allows real learning to begin for young people who have frequently found mainstream settings overwhelming, confusing or exclusionary.
You will join an established and collaborative staff team working within a fully integrated, therapeutic model that places emotional wellbeing at its centre. Therapists, SEN support staff and teaching colleagues work together closely, ensuring that every pupil's individual needs are understood and consistently met across the school day.
What sets this role apart is the school's whole-child philosophy. Education here is not separated from therapeutic support — it is woven through it. You will teach small classes, adapt your practice to the individual, and work within a community of professionals who understand that for many of these young people, feeling safe comes before anything else.
The caseload is rich and varied, offering daily exposure to complex and rewarding presentations across primary and secondary age ranges. This is a rare opportunity to develop your practice in an educational setting that truly values nurture, creativity and personalised learning. Ongoing CPD and clear career progression pathways are built into the offer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and deliver creative, differentiated lessons tailored to individual pupils with ASC and SEMH needs
- Teach small classes across primary or secondary age ranges within a nurturing, structured environment
- Support pupils' emotional regulation, communication and social development
- Assess progress and adapt your teaching approach accordingly
- Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team alongside therapists, support staff and families
- Contribute to a calm, inclusive classroom culture where pupils feel understood and can re-engage with learning
Requirements:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Experience supporting pupils with Autism and/or SEMH needs
- A calm, trauma-informed approach to behaviour management
- Strong understanding of inclusive, child-centred practice
- Creativity, patience and genuine resilience
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Desirable (Not Essential):
- Experience in specialist SEN schools or alternative provisions
- Background in SEMH settings, youth work, residential care or alternative education
- Familiarity with therapeutic approaches to education and emotional regulation
Why apply for this Nurture Teacher role in South West London?
- Salary of £40,317 – £62,496 with annual reviews
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Ongoing CPD and clear career progression pathways
- A supportive, collaborative staff culture
- Access to wellbeing support including counselling services, cycle to work scheme, life cover and retail discounts
- A genuinely rewarding role with real and lasting impact
This is an exceptional opportunity to take the next step in your career.
Apply today or contact Jamie Martinez at Parker Smith Inclusion to find out more about this Nurture Teacher role in Merton.