At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with additional needs to help them thrive in their education.
- Company: Aspire People, dedicated to making a difference in SEND education.
- Benefits: Earn from £14 per hour with flexible hours and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible start dates and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in education, care, or youth work; passion for supporting others.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Teaching Assistant Opportunities – St Helens Primary | Secondary | College | SEND Settings | September 2026 Starts
Pay: From £14 per hour
Location: St Helens and surrounding areas
Contract: Full-Time, Part-Time, Long-Term & Temp-to-Perm Opportunities
Start Dates: September 2026 – Flexible throughout the first half term
Make a Difference Supporting Children and Young People with SEND
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs to reach their full potential? Aspire People is working with a range of SEND schools, specialist provisions, resource bases and alternative education settings across St Helens, with opportunities available across primary, secondary and college-aged settings. We're looking for dedicated SEND Teaching Assistants to join our partner schools from September 2026. While many roles are available for September starts, we can offer flexible start dates throughout the first half term, making these opportunities ideal if you're looking for a new role after the summer.
Whether you have previous experience in SEND education or have worked in care, support work, youth work, residential settings, childcare or similar environments, we'd love to hear from you. Every pupil is different, and every achievement matters. Your support could make a lasting difference to a young person's education, confidence and independence.
You Could Be Supporting Pupils and Students With:
- Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
- ADHD
- SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs)
- Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD & SLD)
- Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
- Complex medical and physical needs
- Sensory processing differences
- A range of additional and complex learning needs
Your Role May Include:
- Providing 1:1 support and working with small groups
- Supporting pupils and students in the classroom and wider school environment
- Helping to deliver sensory, communication, social and life-skills activities
- Supporting learning, engagement and positive behaviour
- Promoting independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing
- Assisting with personal care where required (depending on the setting)
- Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, therapists and wider support teams
- Supporting individual education and support plans
- Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils and students
What We're Looking For:
- Experienced in education, SEND, care, support work, youth work or childcare
- Patient, calm, resilient and adaptable
- Passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs
- Confident working with pupils across primary, secondary or college age
- Strong communicators who enjoy working as part of a team
- Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Able to provide professional references and complete an Enhanced DBS check where required
Why Work with Aspire People?
- Pay rates from £14 per hour
- Flexible start dates throughout the first half term
- Full-time, part-time and flexible opportunities
- Long-term and temp-to-perm positions
- A dedicated consultant specialising in SEND education
- Access to free SEND-specific CPD and training
- Opportunities across a variety of specialist settings in St Helens
- Placements matched to your experience, availability and career goals
- Refer-a-Friend bonus – £100 for Teaching Assistants and £250 for Teachers*
Start Your New SEND Role This September
If you're looking for a rewarding opportunity supporting children and young people with SEND, we want to hear from you. Whether you're an experienced SEND Teaching Assistant or looking to transfer your skills from care, youth work, residential support or another setting, Aspire People can help you find your next opportunity in St Helens.
Teaching Assistant - SEND School in St Helens employer: Aspire People
Aspire People is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development for educators. Located in the vibrant community of Welwyn, our school provides a unique opportunity to inspire students in Business Studies and Economics while enjoying competitive salaries and a commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant - SEND School in St Helens
✨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 Aspire People.
✨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 Aspire People!
✨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 Aspire People, 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 Aspire People 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 Teaching Assistant - SEND School in St Helens
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 Aspire People:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Aspire People! 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 Aspire People
✨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.
