Pay: £90.00-£100.00 per day
Job Description:
SEND Teaching Assistant – Autism & Complex Learning Needs
West London | PAYE | £90–£100 per day | Full-time | ASAP / Next Half Term
This role is for people who genuinely understand SEND.
If you have worked closely with autistic children or young people with complex learning needs, you already know this work is not about routines alone. It is about communication before curriculum, regulation before learning, and relationships before progress.
This specialist education setting supports children with Autism (ASC) and a range of additional needs, including SLD, communication differences, sensory processing needs, ADHD, and SEMH. Some pupils are non-verbal or use alternative communication methods. Many experience emotional dysregulation and need calm, emotionally intelligent adults who can offer structure without control.
This role suits someone who is confident being present, patient in the difficult moments, and genuinely invested in helping children feel safe enough to learn.
The Setting
You will be working in a highly specialised SEND environment designed for pupils who cannot currently access mainstream education. Class sizes are small. Support is intensive. Progress is measured in communication, regulation, engagement, and trust as much as academic outcomes.
The approach is trauma-informed and autism-affirming, with a strong emphasis on:
- Sensory regulation and emotional safety
- Predictable routines balanced with flexibility
- Communication support, including AAC and visual systems
- Understanding behaviour as communication, not defiance
Your Day-to-Day Role
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will:
- Provide consistent 1:1 or small-group support for pupils with Autism and complex needs
- Support communication using visual aids, symbols, PECS, AAC devices, or tailored strategies
- Help pupils regulate emotionally and sensory-wise throughout the school day
- Work closely with teachers and therapists to implement individual support plans
- Support learning activities adapted to pupils’ developmental levels
- Maintain clear, calm boundaries while remaining compassionate and patient
- Support personal care where required, always with dignity and respect
The Honest Part
This role can be challenging.
There will be moments of dysregulation, distressed behaviour, and days where progress feels slow. Some pupils struggle with change, communication, or emotional overwhelm. This is not a passive support role and it is not suitable for anyone uncomfortable with complexity.
However, for the right person, this is deeply meaningful work. You will see small breakthroughs that matter. You will be part of a team that understands SEND properly. You will finish the day knowing your presence made a difference.
Who Thrives in This Role
You are likely to thrive here if you:
- Have genuine SEND experience, professional or personal
- Understand Autism beyond labels and behaviour charts
- Remain calm, reflective, and emotionally regulated under pressure
- Communicate clearly, kindly, and consistently
- Are committed to SEND as a vocation, not a stop-gap
If you are simply looking for “a role in education”, this will not be the right fit.
Role Details
- Role: SEND Teaching Assistant
- Location: West London
- Pay: £90–£100 per day (PAYE only)
- Contract: Full-time, long-term
- Start: ASAP or next half term
Why Work With PSI Inclusion
PSI Inclusion is a specialist SEND recruitment consultancy. We work ethically, transparently, and with deep respect for the people doing this work.
We will:
- Be honest about the role and setting
- Only place staff where the fit is genuinely right
- Pay PAYE only, no umbrella pressure
- Support you throughout your placement
We work with SEND professionals, not CVs.
Interested?
If this role reflects your experience, values, and motivation for working in SEND, we would like to hear from you. Please reach out to Luke on 02030114848 or luke.falzon@psinclusion.co.uk.
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