Location: Witham / Great Baddow (flexibility across both sites required)
Contract: Full-time | Term-time only
Salary: UQT Scale (dependent on experience)
Are you passionate about supporting children with additional needs and ready to take the next step towards a teaching career? Do you enjoy working in a nurturing, relationship-led environment where every achievement—no matter how small—is genuinely celebrated?
We are looking for a committed and compassionate Unqualified Teacher (UQT) to join a specialist SEND setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment supporting pupils with a wide range of complex needs, including ASD, SEMH, SLD, PDA profiles and speech and language difficulties.
Within this setting, relationships, communication and emotional safety are at the heart of everything, with learning carefully tailored to each individual child.
About the Role
As an Unqualified Teacher, you will work closely with qualified teachers and pathway leaders to deliver personalised, high-quality learning across a range of pathways. You will support pupils using sensory-based, communication-rich and therapeutic approaches, helping them feel safe, regulated and ready to engage in learning.
This is a creative, flexible and highly rewarding role where empathy and connection are key.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Delivering engaging, hands-on, sensory and play-based learning activities
- Supporting pupils across informal, semi-formal and structured learning pathways
- Implementing personalised learning plans, EHCP outcomes and therapy targets
- Encouraging communication through total communication approaches (Makaton, PECS, AAC, visuals and objects of reference)
- Supporting emotional regulation using sensory strategies, movement breaks and calm, consistent routines
- Using flexible, low-demand approaches to support pupils with PDA profiles
- Building strong, trusting relationships that promote confidence and emotional wellbeing
- Encouraging independence, engagement and social development through positive interaction
Communication & Therapeutic Approach
You will play an important role in supporting communication and language development through approaches such as Makaton, AAC, PECS, symbols and visual supports. You may also use strategies including narrative approaches, vocabulary scaffolding, Blank Level Questioning and Natural Language Acquisition to help pupils communicate and thrive.
Working as Part of a Specialist Team
You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and pastoral staff, ensuring consistent and holistic support for every pupil. You will also contribute to observations, assessments and progress tracking, helping to celebrate every step forward—no matter how small.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone with experience supporting children with SEND, such as ASD, SEMH, SLD or PDA. You should have a good understanding of sensory needs, emotional regulation and trauma-informed practice, alongside a calm, patient and nurturing approach.
You’ll also need to be adaptable, resilient and confident in tailoring communication to meet individual pupil needs.
Experience within a specialist setting or training in approaches such as Makaton, PECS, Thrive, TEACCH, Attention Autism or sensory integration would be a real advantage.
What the School Offers
- A warm, supportive environment with extensive ongoing training (including Thrive, Safeguarding and Essex Steps)
- Clear pathways for professional development and career progression
- Company pension, free onsite parking, free uniform and optional free lunches
- Private healthcare after one year of service
- A genuinely rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day
If you’re ready to take the next step in your SEND career and join a setting that truly values relationships, wellbeing and personalised learning, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Harry at Parker Smith Inclusion to find out more.