SEND Teaching Assistant in Southwark
£92.58 to £100 per day (PAYE only)
Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:00pm
Full-time and Long-term (Long term to permanent opportunities)
September 2026 start
Every child communicates, learns and experiences the world differently. Could you be the person who helps them feel understood, supported and empowered to thrive?
Some children communicate through words. Others communicate through eye contact, gestures, visual supports, sounds, or simply through the relationships they build with the people around them.
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you'll become an important part of those relationships.
We're working with a welcoming specialist school in Southwark that supports children with Autism, associated learning needs and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) who require a specialist environment rather than mainstream education.
The school supports pupils with a wide range of additional needs, including autism and associated learning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, developmental delay, complex learning needs, difficulties with social communication, and challenges around self-regulation and independence.
All pupils have an EHCP and a diagnosis of autism with associated learning difficulties. The school takes a highly personalised approach to education, placing a strong emphasis on developing communication, interaction, independence and life skills, alongside academic learning.
This isn't just another classroom role. It's an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children who may need additional time, patience and understanding to communicate, engage and learn.
What you'll be doing
- Providing personalised 1:1 and small-group support tailored to each pupil's individual learning, communication and developmental needs
- Supporting pupils with Autism, SLD and complex learning needs to access a broad and engaging curriculum
- Encouraging communication and interaction through visual supports, communication strategies and other alternative methods
- Supporting pupils to develop independence, social communication and life skills
- Helping children regulate their emotions and behaviour through calm, consistent and supportive approaches
- Supporting sensory needs and creating an environment where pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn
- Working closely with teachers, therapists and other professionals to ensure pupils receive consistent support
- Encouraging pupils to make choices, express themselves and develop their confidence
- Supporting children to develop skills that will help them become as independent as possible
- Creating a calm, nurturing and structured environment where every child feels valued and understood
We're looking for someone who...
- Has professional or personal experience supporting children or young people with Autism, SLD, complex needs or additional learning needs
- Understands that children with autism may require a specialist environment, structured support and personalised approaches to learning
- Is patient, empathetic and resilient, with a genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs
- Has an understanding of communication, sensory needs, emotional regulation and social interaction
- Can build trusting relationships with children who may communicate or engage differently
- Believes progress isn't always measured through academic achievement, but through developing communication, independence, confidence and life skills
- Is keen to develop a rewarding career within specialist education
- Can commit to a full-time, long-term position where consistency and strong relationships are essential
Why this role?
Working with children with Autism, SLD and complex learning needs is unlike any other role in education.
You may see a child communicate a choice for the first time, develop the confidence to try something independently, engage with another pupil, or find a new way of expressing themselves.
Those moments matter.
The school is committed to helping pupils develop not only academically, but also their communication, interaction, independence and life skills, giving every child the opportunity to achieve their potential.
If you're looking for a career where your patience, kindness and dedication can make a genuine difference every single day, this could be the opportunity you've been searching for.
Why work with Parker Smith Inclusion?
- PAYE only – no umbrella company deductions, so you take home more of your hard-earned pay
- A specialist SEND recruitment agency that genuinely understands SEND education
- Over 350 five-star Google reviews from teachers and support staff
- Opportunities across a wide range of specialist schools and provisions
- Honest, tailored support throughout the recruitment process
- Free SEND-focused CPD to help you develop your career
- Access to long-term and permanent opportunities across South London
If you're ready to join a specialist school where every achievement matters and where you can help children with Autism, SLD and complex needs develop their confidence, communication and independence, we'd love to speak with you.
Apply today and discover how rewarding a career in specialist education can be.
Reach out to Jamie Martinez to find your next role!