Special Needs Teaching Assistant - Special School
£95 to £105 per day (PAYE only) – Depending on experience
Monday to Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm
Full-time and Long-term (Long-term to permanent opportunities)
September 2026 start
For some young people, school can feel overwhelming. They may struggle to regulate their emotions, build trusting relationships, manage anxiety or engage with learning due to experiences and challenges that sit behind their behaviour.
As an Special Needs Teaching Assistant, you'll play an important role in helping young people feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
We support specialist education settings, catering to pupils from KS1 to KS5, who have a primary diagnosis of Autism and other associated needs, such as trauma, complex needs, sensory needs, and severe social anxieties.
What you'll be doing
- Providing personalised 1:1 and small-group support for pupils who are Autistic
- Building positive, trusting relationships with young people who may have experienced difficulties engaging with education
- Supporting pupils to regulate their emotions and manage anxiety, frustration and challenging situations
- Using calm, consistent and trauma-informed and sensory based approaches to behaviour support
- Helping pupils understand their emotions and develop positive strategies for self-regulation
- Supporting young people to develop their social skills, communication and confidence
- Adapting activities and learning to reflect individual interests, strengths, aptitudes and needs
- Creating a safe, calm, and nurturing environment where every young person feels valued and understood
We're looking for someone who...
- Understands that behaviour is often a form of communication and can look beyond the behaviour to understand the underlying need
- Is patient, empathetic, resilient and able to remain calm in challenging situations
- Has a genuine passion for helping young people who may have struggled within traditional education settings
- Can build trusting relationships with pupils who may initially be reluctant to engage or accept support
- Has an understanding of emotional regulation, anxiety, social communication and positive behaviour support
- Can commit to a full-time, long-term position where consistency and strong relationships are essential
Why this role?
Through a nurturing approach, a broad and balanced curriculum, therapeutic support and high levels of individual attention, pupils are given the opportunity to develop both academically and socially.
You'll be part of a team that doesn't simply ask, "Why is this pupil behaving this way?" but instead asks, "What is this young person trying to communicate, and how can we help?"
If you're looking for a career where patience, consistency and genuine human connection can make a lasting difference to a young person's life, 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
- Dedicated support from a specialist SEND consultant throughout your placement
If you're ready to join a specialist school where relationships, emotional wellbeing and individual progress matter, and where you can help Autistic children and young people develop their confidence, resilience, independence and ability to engage with education, we'd love to speak with you.
Apply today and discover how rewarding a career in specialist SEND education can be.
Reach out to Jamie Martinez to find your next role!