SEN Teaching Assistant - Southwark
Full-time, term-time only, September start
Permanent contract opportunity
£95 - £105 PAYE per day, weekly payment
Have you ever learned to read someone without them saying a single word? Not because you were trained to, but because you had to. Because you spent enough time with someone who communicated differently, and eventually you just started to understand them. A sound, a movement, a particular kind of stillness that meant something specific. And you got it, even when nobody else did. If that sounds familiar, this might be worth reading.
This is a supportive and friendly special school in Southwark for young people aged 11 to 19. The needs here are significant and varied. SLD, PMLD, Autism, complex communication needs, multi-sensory impairment. A lot of the young people are non-verbal or pre-verbal. AAC is not a bolt-on. Makaton, symbols, objects of reference, these are just how the school communicates. Personal care and physical support are part of the daily role too, not mentioned at the end of the job description as an afterthought.
The school itself is calm. Small in the way that means everyone knows everyone. Leadership is visible and the team is consistent, which matters enormously in a setting like this. Therapists work alongside Teaching staff throughout the day, so you are never left to figure things out on your own.
What the role involves day to day:
- Supporting young people with profound and complex needs through structured, personalised routines
- Using AAC and non-verbal communication as a genuine part of how you connect with pupils, not just a skill to list on a form
- Providing personal care and physical support as a confident, everyday part of the role
- Working within a multidisciplinary team where therapy and education genuinely overlap
- Helping to maintain an environment where pupils feel safe, known, and able to make progress in their own way
You do not need school experience. What this school is actually looking for is someone who has worked in care, residential support, or a clinical setting, or someone who has supported a family member or someone close with complex or profound needs. That background is directly relevant here. The school will give you proper training and support once you are in post.
September 2026 start. Long-term with a real route to permanent.
Get in touch with Heeji Moon at Parker Smith Inclusion on 0203 011 4848 or heeji@psinclusion.co.uk.
Working with Parker Smith Inclusion, you will have a consultant who takes the time to understand your background before putting you forward for anything. Pay is weekly, transparent, and PAYE only. Free CPD is available to support your development once you are placed.
Parker Smith Inclusion is a specialist SEND recruitment agency. We put people first, taking the time to get to know you & finding the right career opportunity. We are recruiting for SEND roles across a wide range of settings for all career stages, including support staff, Teachers, Therapists & senior leaders. Whether you're an experienced professional or just beginning your journey, there's a path for you. If you are keen to explore other opportunities, get in touch on heeji@psinclusion.co.uk or call Heeji on 0203 011 4848.