Role: SEN Teaching Assistant (Special Educational Needs Unit)
Location: Fleetwood, Lancashire
Contract: Temporary, Term-Time Only
Duration: September - December
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Pay: £100 per day
About the Role
Are you a dedicated, resilient, and compassionate educator looking to make a profound difference in the lives of children with complex needs?
A welcoming primary school in Fleetwood is seeking a skilled SEN Teaching Assistant to join their specialised SEN unit from September through to December. This unique unit supports a wonderful group of mixed-age children who, while sharing a similar cognitive ability, navigate a diverse range of challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), non-verbal communication barriers, and wider SEND. > Please Note: Due to the specialised nature of this unit, this role requires a professional with prior qualified TA experience or strong, reference able experience supporting complex needs within a mainstream 1:1 role, an SEN TA position, a specialist school setting, or a professional care background.
What Makes This Unit Special?
Unlike mainstream classrooms or some fragmented SEN support roles, this unit is a cohesive environment. Because the children function at a similar cognitive level, the learning framework is unified. However, the way they access that learning varies dramatically. Your day-to-day will be dynamic, requiring you to pivot your approach based on each child's specific sensory, emotional, and communication profile.
The Skills You Will Need to Thrive
This role goes beyond general classroom assistance. To truly support these children and help them thrive, we are looking for an individual who possesses-or is eager to hone-the following specialised skills:
Alternative Communication Expertise: With non-verbal children in the unit, you must be skilled in (or have a strong working knowledge of) communication tools such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Makaton, or AAC devices. Your ability to read non-verbal cues and body language is essential.
De-escalation & Positive Behaviour Support: Understanding the root cause of "behaviours that challenge" is crucial. You will need a toolkit of positive behaviour management strategies, a calm demeanour under pressure, and ideally, training like Team-Teach (though not mandatory, this is a massive plus).
Sensory Regulation Awareness: Many of the children have ASD and sensory processing differences. You will need to know when a child requires sensory breaks, how to utilise sensory rooms or tools effectively, and how to spot the signs of sensory overload before a meltdown occurs.
Adaptability & High Emotional Intelligence: You need to be someone who can read the room instantly. A child who is thriving at 9:00 AM might need complete emotional scaffolding by 10:30 AM. Empathy, patience, and a thick skin are non-negotiable.
Collaborative Spirit: You will be working closely with the Unit Lead, speech and language therapists, and parents. Clear, professional communication and accurate record-keeping of student progress are vital.
Requirements
Essential: Prior qualified TA experience or solid, referenceable experience from a mainstream 1:1 role, an SEN TA position, a specialist setting, or a professional care background.
Proven experience working with children with ASD, non-verbal needs, or complex SEND.
A patient, nurturing, and robust personality.
Robust understanding of safeguarding procedures within a school environment.
An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or the willingness to apply for a new one)
Salary description
£92.56 - £100.00 per day