PMLD Teaching Assistants - Newham

SEND Teaching Assistants – PMLD Specialist School

Location: Beckton, East London
Start Date: January 2027
Contract: Full-time, long-term opportunities
Salary: £100 per day PAYE

Are you passionate about supporting children with profound and multiple learning difficulties?

Parker Smith Inclusion is working with a specialist SEND school in Beckton who are looking for dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistants to join their team from January.

This is an opportunity to support pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), who may have complex physical, sensory, communication and learning needs.

The school is looking for individuals who understand the importance of a personalised approach to learning and can provide the patience, consistency and hands-on support these pupils need throughout their school day.

You will play an important role in helping pupils feel safe, comfortable and included, while supporting their communication, sensory development, independence and engagement with learning.

The Role

Working alongside teachers, therapists and the wider support team, you will provide tailored support to pupils with significant and complex needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with PMLD and additional complex needs.

• Supporting pupils with their physical, sensory, communication and learning needs.

• Assisting with personal care, including toileting, changing, feeding and hygiene routines where required.

• Supporting pupils with mobility needs, including moving and handling, following appropriate training and individual care plans.

• Using sensory resources and activities to encourage engagement, exploration and interaction.

• Supporting communication through facial expressions, gestures, objects of reference, visual aids, Makaton or other communication systems.

• Recognising and responding to pupils' individual communication cues, emotional needs and changes in behaviour.

• Supporting pupils who may become distressed or dysregulated, using calm, consistent and appropriate strategies.

• Following individual care plans, behaviour support plans and medical guidance.

• Working closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals to support each pupil's individual development.

• Creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every pupil is encouraged to participate and achieve.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for caring, patient and proactive individuals who understand the level of support required when working with pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience working with children or young people with PMLD, SLD or complex needs.

• Experience supporting pupils with significant physical, sensory or communication difficulties.

• Confidence providing personal and intimate care.

• An understanding of sensory needs and how to use sensory activities to support engagement and development.

• The ability to recognise non-verbal communication and respond to individual needs.

• A calm, compassionate and adaptable approach.

• Confidence supporting pupils who may display behaviours associated with frustration, discomfort or communication difficulties.

• The ability to work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and other support staff.

• A genuine passion for helping pupils develop their communication, independence and quality of life.

Additional training and experience would be beneficial, including:

• Moving and Handling / Hoisting.

• First Aid or Paediatric First Aid.

• Makaton, PECS or other communication approaches.

• Sensory processing and sensory integration.

• Experience supporting pupils with epilepsy or other medical needs.

• Team Teach or Positive Handling training, where relevant to the pupils' individual support needs.

Why Work with Parker Smith Inclusion?

At Parker Smith Inclusion, we understand how important the right support staff are within specialist education. Working with pupils with PMLD requires patience, understanding and a genuine commitment to recognising every small achievement.

We take the time to get to know our educators, understand their experience and help match them with schools where they can make a meaningful difference.

We're an ethical and transparent SEND specialist consultancy, passionate about building genuine relationships with the schools and educators we support.

If you have experience supporting children with complex needs and would love to make a difference within a specialist school environment, we'd love to hear from you!

Get in touch with Parker Smith Inclusion today to find out more about January opportunities in Beckton!