A specialist school in Swindon is seeking a dedicated Complex Needs Teaching Assistant to join its experienced support team from September 2026. This role provides the opportunity to work closely with children who require a high level of personalised support to participate in education and everyday school activities.
You will support children with a variety of complex needs, which may include Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), physical disabilities, complex medical conditions, sensory needs, communication difficulties, and other significant SEND requirements.
Every child will have their own strengths, interests, abilities, and ways of communicating. Your role will be to understand these individual differences and provide consistent support that helps each child participate, communicate, and develop at their own pace.
What the Role Involves
As a Complex Needs Teaching Assistant, you will work alongside teachers and specialist staff to provide tailored support throughout the school day. You may work with individual children or support small groups, depending on the needs of the setting.
Your responsibilities could include:
Providing dedicated one-to-one and small-group assistance during lessons and school activities.
Helping children engage with learning through practical, sensory, and personalised activities.
Adapting tasks and resources so children can participate as fully as possible.
Supporting children who use AAC, symbols, communication boards, signing, or other alternative communication methods.
Assisting with mobility and physical positioning in line with individual guidance and school procedures.
Supporting personal care routines where required, always maintaining dignity, privacy, and respect.
Supporting Individual Progress
Working with children with complex needs requires a flexible and child-centred approach. Progress may involve achieving a new communication milestone, developing a new physical skill, becoming more confident with a routine, or successfully participating in an activity for the first time.
We are looking for someone who is kind, dependable, patient, and comfortable working in a specialist environment.
You should be able to:
Build positive relationships with children who have complex and varied needs.
Remain calm and reassuring when situations become unpredictable.
Follow detailed instructions, care plans, and specialist guidance.
Adapt your communication to suit individual children.
Work effectively as part of a wider education and support team.
Maintain children's dignity and promote their independence wherever possible.
Recognise that every child develops differently and celebrate individual progress.
Communicate professionally with teachers, families, therapists, and other staff.
Demonstrate a willingness to learn specialist approaches and develop your skills.Previous experience within SEND, specialist education, healthcare, childcare, social care, or support work would be beneficial. However, relevant experience is not essential, and applications from compassionate candidates with strong transferable skills are welcomed.
It could be particularly beneficial for graduates or aspiring professionals considering careers in:
Educational or Clinical Psychology
Special Educational Needs
Teaching
Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Nursing and Healthcare
Social Care
Childhood and Child Development
What We Offer
£85-£110 per day, depending on experience.
PAYE weekly pay.
Full-time and part-time positions available.
September 2026 start.
Experience within a specialist educational setting.
Hands-on experience supporting children with complex SEND.
The opportunity to work alongside teachers, SEN professionals, therapists, and healthcare staff.
Valuable experience for future careers across education, psychology, therapy, and healthcare.
Apply today to take the next step towards a rewarding career supporting children with complex needs and helping them achieve their individual goals.
Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy
Salary description
£85.00 - £110.00 per day