At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic young people through personalised teaching and life skills development.
- Company: A passionate post-16 education provider focused on neurodiversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to empowering students in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on young lives while fostering independence and confidence.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and experience with SEND, particularly autism.
The predicted salary is between 33299 - 36193 € per year.
A specialist post-16 education provider is seeking passionate and dedicated SEND Specialist Tutors to join its growing team supporting autistic young people within a highly personalised and inclusive learning environment. This is an exciting opportunity for qualified educators who are passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and committed to helping young people develop confidence, independence, life skills, and meaningful pathways into adulthood.
The successful candidates will deliver autism-specialist teaching within small class settings, supporting learners academically, socially, and emotionally through tailored and highly individualised approaches.
The Role
The SEND Specialist Tutor will design and deliver engaging, differentiated, and scaffolded learning that reflects students' individual strengths, interests, sensory profiles, and communication needs. Working closely with families, multidisciplinary teams, and wider college staff, the successful candidate will help create safe, enabling, and empowering learning experiences that support positive outcomes and preparation for adulthood. This role combines specialist teaching, relationship-based practice, and personalised support within a collaborative and values-led educational environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver differentiated and autism-specialist teaching and learning
- Create structured, scaffolded lessons that support independence and engagement
- Embed communication, emotional regulation, wellbeing, and life skills within teaching practice
- Monitor and review student progress using person-centred approaches and RARPA frameworks
- Support learners to develop independence, confidence, and preparation for adulthood skills
- Build positive and trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues
- Contribute to EHCP reviews, transition planning, and multidisciplinary meetings
- Support students accessing community-based learning, work experience, and life skills opportunities
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and external professionals to support learner progress and wellbeing
- Contribute to reflective practice, staff development, and ongoing improvement across the provision
The Ideal Candidate
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE, CertEd, or equivalent teaching qualification
- Level 2 English and Maths qualification (or equivalent)
- Level 6 qualification or above in SEND, Autism, Inclusive Education, or a related field - or currently working towards one
- Experience supporting students with SEND, particularly autistic learners
- Strong understanding of differentiated and inclusive teaching practice
- Experience delivering personalised learning within specialist, SEND, FE, or inclusive education settings
- Excellent communication, organisation, and relationship-building skills
- A calm, reflective, and student-centred approach
- Commitment to equality, empowerment, inclusion, and neurodiversity-affirming practice
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment
Desirable Experience
- Experience within post-16 SEND or specialist college settings
- Knowledge of EHCP processes and Preparing for Adulthood outcomes
- Experience supporting communication, sensory, or emotional regulation needs
- Understanding of trauma-informed and autism-informed practice
- Experience working alongside families and multidisciplinary teams
What's on Offer
- Permanent full-time or part-time opportunity
- Competitive salary package
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Excellent CPD and specialist SEND training opportunities
- Opportunity to work within a highly personalised and values-led setting
- The chance to make a meaningful and lasting impact on young people's lives and future independence
This role would suit a passionate SEND Teacher, Specialist Tutor, Autism Practitioner, SEN Lecturer, or inclusive education professional looking to work within a supportive post-16 specialist education environment.
SEND Specialist Tutors employer: Dovetail and Slate
Join a dedicated team at a specialist post-16 education provider in the East Midlands, where your passion for supporting autistic young people will be valued and nurtured. With a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to professional development, you will thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment that empowers both staff and students. This role offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners while working alongside multidisciplinary teams in a values-led setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Specialist Tutors
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work with SEND. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet, and a personal recommendation can go a long way.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and mission. Tailor your responses to show how your passion for neurodiversity-affirming practice aligns with their goals. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with personalised learning during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've supported autistic learners in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to create engaging and inclusive learning environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Specialist Tutors
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting autistic young people shine through. We want to see how dedicated you are to creating inclusive learning environments and helping students thrive.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in SEND and autism education. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've supported learners with diverse needs, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Person-Centred:In your application, emphasise your commitment to person-centred approaches. We value candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of individual strengths and how they adapt teaching to meet those needs.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dovetail and Slate
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SEND, particularly autism. Familiarise yourself with neurodiversity-affirming practices and how they can be applied in a post-16 education setting. This will show your passion and commitment to supporting autistic learners.
✨Prepare Engaging Lesson Plans
Think about how you would design and deliver lessons that are engaging and tailored to individual needs. Be ready to discuss specific strategies for creating scaffolded learning experiences that promote independence and confidence in students.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Be prepared to talk about how you build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. Share examples of how you've collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support learner progress and wellbeing, as this is key in the role.
✨Reflect on Your Practice
Demonstrate your commitment to reflective practice by discussing how you monitor and review student progress. Talk about any frameworks you’ve used, like RARPA, and how you adapt your teaching based on feedback and outcomes.
