SEND Teaching Assistant – Autism Specialist School

Location: Hackney, East London
Contract: Full-time
Start Date: Immediate 

Parker Smith Inclusion is working in partnership with an autism specialist school in Hackney to recruit enthusiastic, proactive and engaging SEND Teaching Assistants to join their team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting autistic children and young people and wants to make a genuine difference to their educational journey. The school caters for pupils across a range of age groups, offering an opportunity to support learners at different stages of their development.

We are looking for individuals who bring energy, patience and a positive attitude to their work. Whether you have professional experience in a SEND setting or personal experience supporting someone with additional needs, we want to hear from you!

The Role

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will work alongside teachers and the wider support team to help autistic pupils access learning, develop communication skills and build confidence and independence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils on a 1:1 basis and in small groups, depending on their individual needs.
• Helping teachers deliver engaging, accessible and meaningful learning activities.
• Encouraging communication, social interaction and positive relationships.
• Supporting pupils to develop independence, confidence and everyday life skills.
• Taking a proactive approach to keeping pupils engaged, motivated and involved in learning.
• Helping pupils manage transitions, routines and changes throughout the school day.
• Following individual support strategies and adapting your approach to suit each learner.
• Promoting a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil feels valued.
• Working collaboratively with teachers and other support staff to provide consistent, person-centred support.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, adaptable and genuinely committed to supporting children and young people with SEND.

You will ideally have:

• Personal or professional experience of SEND, particularly autism.
• A proactive and engaging approach, with the confidence to get involved and encourage participation.
• Patience, resilience and the ability to remain calm when situations become challenging.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships.
• A willingness to learn about autism and understand how individual pupils communicate, learn and experience the world.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while using your own initiative.
• A positive attitude towards inclusion, independence and celebrating every pupil's progress.

Experience in a school, nursery, specialist provision, care setting or similar environment would be beneficial. However, we also welcome candidates whose personal experiences have given them a meaningful understanding of additional needs and who are keen to develop a career in SEND education.

Why Work with Parker Smith Inclusion?

At Parker Smith Inclusion, we specialise in SEND education and believe that finding the right person for the right setting makes a real difference.

We take the time to understand your experience, values and career ambitions, helping you find opportunities where you can make a meaningful contribution and develop your skills within specialist education.

Apply Today

If you are proactive, enthusiastic and passionate about helping autistic pupils thrive, we would love to hear from you.

Whether you are an experienced SEND Teaching Assistant or looking to build a career in specialist education using relevant personal experience, this could be an excellent opportunity to make a difference.

Contact Parker Smith Inclusion today to find out more and discuss your next step into SEND education.

Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks.