As a busy, vibrant and innovative special school we are committed to our mission statement:
Everyone will be the best that they can be.
Everyone has a voice.
No one is excluded.
Are you highly motivated, resilient SEND practitioner ready to lead on specialist interventions? We are seeking an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to lead “The Hub” sessions for our sensory learners and early communicators. You will independently plan, schedule and deliver bespoke, out-of-class intervention programmes for students with complex learning difficulties and diverse communication profiles. We are looking for an inspiring professional who can model best practices in behaviour and communication, driving progress for our most vulnerable learners.
This is a fixed term maternity cover post - Start February 2027.
Key responsibilities
- Specialist Interventions: Plan, prepare, and independently deliver high-quality, differentiated intervention lessons for individuals and small groups, explicitly targeting EHCP and home: school targets
- Timetable & Resource Management: Organise an efficient Hub schedule for referred students. Oversee resources within an allocated budget.
- Assessment & Tracking: Confidently gather meaningful assessment data to evidence student progress, provide insights for student reviews, and feedback to teachers and parents
- Behaviour & Safeguarding: Model best practices in managing and de-escalating challenging behaviours, maintaining a calm environment, and accurately reporting via CPOMs
- Environment & Engagement: Design and maintain a sensory-appropriate learning space, utilizing educational technology to boost student engagement
- Collaboration & Training: Attend weekly staff meetings and work alongside the Inclusion team to share your knowledge and help deliver specialist training to the wider school team.
- Social & Community Support: Support structured lunchtime play and attend parents’ evenings as required to discuss intervention impact
Person Specification
Experience & Leadership
- Complex SEND: Proven experience planning, preparing, and delivering targeted interventions to learners with complex learning difficulties
- Behaviour Management: Strong track record of managing challenging behaviours calmly and effectively, with experience recording incidents on relevant IT systems
- Leadership Skills: Confident inleading groups and directing supporting staff within the learning environment
- Autonomy: Highly self-motivated with excellent time-management skills to run an efficient hub timetable
- Specialist Pedagogy: Deep understanding of the specific barriers to learning encountered in a specialist SEND setting and how to overcome them
- Target Setting: Knowledge of how to plan activities for short-term and medium-term targets, directly aligning them with EHCP or home: school objectives
- Evidencing Process: Clear understanding of how to capture, monitor, and evidence incremental progress for SEND learners
Communication & Personal Attributes
- Total Communication: Exceptional communication skills with practical experience using a Total Communication approach signs, symbols, AAC and objects of reference
- Resilience: A calm, resilient, and patient nature when navigating high-anxiety or challenging situations
- Professional Drive: A genuine enthusiasm to deepen your understanding of communication and behaviour, alongside a passion for mentoring, modelling best practice, and sharing knowledge with colleagues
Hours of work
5 days per week, - 4pm, term time only (maternity cover, fixed term).
Ellen Tinkham School is an “Outstanding” special school catering for pupils with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Online searches may be done as part of pre-recruitment checks.
A current Safeguarding and Adult Safeguarding policy is in place.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Ellen Tinkham School • Devon, UK
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Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Ellen Tinkham School employer: Devon County Council
Devon County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional development. As a Lead Approved Mental Health Professional, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on mental health services while benefiting from a strong commitment to employee growth and well-being in a vibrant community setting.
