At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with physical disabilities and sensory needs to enhance their learning and independence.
- Company: A welcoming specialist educational school in Oxford dedicated to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Competitive daily pay, flexible hours, and hands-on experience in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Great opportunity for those aspiring to work in teaching, psychology, or therapy fields.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable skills in SEND support.
- Qualifications: Compassionate individuals interested in child development and sensory processing; experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 85 - 110 £ per hour.
Are you passionate about helping children with physical disabilities, sensory processing needs and additional learning requirements become more confident and independent? Do you have a patient, observant and caring approach and want to develop specialist experience supporting children with SEND? This Physical & Sensory Support Assistant opportunity in Oxford offers the chance to provide personalised support to children within a specialist educational school. A welcoming school is looking for someone to play an important role in helping children access learning, participate in daily activities and develop their physical, sensory, communication and independence skills.
As a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant, you will work closely with teachers, SEN professionals and, where appropriate, therapists to implement individualised strategies designed around each child's specific needs. Your support will help create an environment where children feel safe, understood and encouraged to make progress at their own pace.
The Role
As a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant, you will provide tailored support based on each child's physical, sensory and communication requirements. Your responsibilities will include:
- Implementing individual sensory strategies and programmes developed by therapists and specialist professionals.
- Supporting children's physical needs, mobility, positioning and access to classroom activities where required.
- Helping children manage sensory input and develop appropriate sensory regulation strategies.
- Supporting communication through verbal, visual, gestural and alternative or augmentative communication methods where appropriate.
- Helping children participate in learning and everyday school activities.
- Encouraging children to develop greater independence with appropriate support.
- Providing reassurance and encouragement when children experience sensory overload, anxiety or frustration.
- Monitoring children's responses to sensory and physical strategies and sharing relevant observations with the wider team.
- Promoting confidence, self-esteem and positive engagement through a child-centred approach.
- Supporting a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for children with a range of additional needs.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, SEN staff and specialist therapists to provide consistent support.
The successful Physical & Sensory Support Assistant will recognise that every child's sensory and physical needs are different and will adapt their approach accordingly.
About You
We are looking for a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant who is:
- Patient, compassionate and attentive to individual children's needs.
- Interested in sensory processing, physical development, communication and SEND.
- Confident following individualised support plans and specialist strategies.
- Observant and able to identify changes in children's behaviour, comfort or sensory presentation.
- A strong communicator who can build positive relationships with children and professionals.
- Committed to promoting dignity, inclusion, independence and wellbeing.
- Calm and reassuring when children become overwhelmed or require additional support.
- Willing to learn and develop knowledge of specialist sensory and physical support approaches.
- Previous experience working with children with SEND, physical disabilities, sensory needs or complex learning needs would be beneficial, although it is not essential.
This role could be particularly suitable for individuals with backgrounds or career aspirations in Teaching, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, SEN, Child Development or Children's Support Work.
Why Become a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant?
This Physical & Sensory Support Assistant role provides valuable hands-on experience within a specialist educational setting. You will develop practical skills in sensory regulation, physical support, communication, mobility, independence and child-centred SEND provision, while working alongside experienced education and specialist professionals.
What We Offer
This Physical & Sensory Support Assistant opportunity provides:
- £85-£110 per day, depending on experience.
- PAYE weekly pay.
- Full-time and part-time opportunities.
- September 2026 start.
- A supportive specialist educational environment in Oxford.
- Hands-on experience supporting children with physical and sensory needs.
- The opportunity to work alongside teachers, SEN professionals and therapists.
Make a Difference as a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant
As a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant, you will have the opportunity to help children overcome physical and sensory barriers that may otherwise affect their ability to learn and participate in school life. If you are looking for a Physical & Sensory Support Assistant position where you can develop specialist SEND experience while building meaningful relationships with children, this Oxford opportunity could be an excellent next step. Apply today!
Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy.
Physical & Sensory Support Assistant in Oxford employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physical & Sensory Support Assistant in Oxford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at All The Top Bananas.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like All The Top Bananas, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at All The Top Bananas or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Physical & Sensory Support Assistant in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
