Specialist SEND Learning Support Assistant | Behaviour & Communication
Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay: £100.00 to £110.00 per day
About the role
Parker Smith Inclusion is recruiting on behalf of a primary school for a Specialist SEND Learning Support Assistant to work 1:1 with a KS1 pupil with complex SEND.
This is a role for someone who has a genuine interest in behaviour, communication and understanding what sits behind a child’s behaviour.
The school is looking for someone with the experience and confidence to make a real difference. Someone who can build a detailed understanding of an individual child, recognise patterns in their behaviour and engagement, and put effective strategies in place to support them.
You will become an important part of this pupil’s school experience. Your observations, consistency and ability to adapt your approach will play a significant role in helping them communicate, regulate, engage and access their learning.
The pupil has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). They are pre verbal and use PECS to communicate.
As the pupil is not able to rely on spoken language to tell others what they need, the person supporting them will need to be highly observant and able to recognise changes in behaviour, engagement and communication.
What you will be doing
• Building a detailed understanding of the pupil and how they communicate
• Observing behaviour carefully and recognising patterns, triggers and changes in engagement
• Developing and putting appropriate strategies in place to support positive behaviour and emotional regulation
• Using PECS and other communication approaches consistently throughout the school day
• Adapting your approach depending on the pupil’s needs and responses
• Creating consistent and predictable routines that support the pupil to feel secure and ready to learn
• Working closely with school staff and other professionals to ensure strategies are understood and used consistently
• Recognising progress and understanding the importance of small steps in a child’s development
• Supporting the pupil to develop their communication, independence and confidence
Who we are looking for
This role would suit an experienced SEND professional who wants to use their skills in behaviour, communication and personalised support.
You may have experience as a:
• Learning Support Assistant
• SEND Teaching Assistant
• Behaviour Support Assistant
• Autism Support Worker
• Specialist Teaching Assistant
• Support Worker with experience in an educational setting
You should have experience supporting children who may be:
• Autistic
• Pre verbal or non verbal
• Using PECS or another form of AAC
• Working significantly below age related expectations
• Presenting with complex developmental needs
We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are naturally curious about behaviour and who want to understand why a child is responding in a particular way.
This is not about simply managing behaviour.
It is about understanding the child behind the behaviour, identifying what they may be communicating and knowing what to do next.
The school needs someone who can bring experience, patience, observation and professional judgement to this role. Your ability to understand the pupil and put the right strategies in place could make a significant difference to their experience of school.
If you are someone who enjoys understanding behaviour, developing effective strategies and seeing the impact that consistent, specialist support can have on a child, this could be a particularly rewarding role for you.
Please contact elisha@psinclusion.co.uk or call 0203 011 4848.