Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Specialist SEN School in Croydon

Location: Sutton, South West London. Full‑Time, Long-Term Opportunity. Salary: £650 – £800 per week. Start: September.

Are you an experienced SEN professional ready to take the next step in your career? Do you have the confidence to lead learning, deliver interventions and support pupils with Autism and additional needs to achieve meaningful outcomes? Would you thrive within a specialist school where education, therapy and personalised support work together to help every pupil succeed?

A highly regarded specialist SEN school in Sutton is seeking a dedicated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join their team on a full‑time, long‑term basis from September. The school supports pupils aged 11‑19 with a range of additional needs including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), communication difficulties, moderate learning difficulties and associated social, emotional and sensory needs. Staff work collaboratively to provide a structured, nurturing and highly personalised learning environment that enables pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally.

As a HLTA, you will play a key role in supporting teaching and learning across the school. Working alongside teachers, therapists and senior leaders, you will deliver targeted interventions, support EHCP outcomes and lead learning activities for individuals, small groups and, where appropriate, whole classes.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver targeted interventions to support academic, communication, social and emotional development
• Lead learning activities for individuals, small groups and whole classes when required
• Support teachers with planning, preparation and adaptation of learning activities
• Implement personalised learning programmes and EHCP outcomes
• Promote independence, communication skills and emotional regulation
• Support pupils with Autism, communication needs and additional learning difficulties
• Work collaboratively with Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and wider multidisciplinary professionals
• Monitor pupil progress and maintain accurate records of learning and development
• Contribute to annual reviews, target setting and pupil support plans
• Model best practice and support Teaching Assistants within the classroom
• Implement positive behaviour support strategies and therapeutic approaches
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion across the school

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEN and additional needs
• Experience delivering interventions and supporting learning independently
• HLTA qualification or equivalent experience is desirable
• Strong understanding of Autism, communication needs and personalised learning approaches
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• A calm, resilient and nurturing approach
• Strong behaviour management and classroom support skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to inclusive education and pupil achievement

Benefits

• Extensive SEN‑specific training and professional development
• Supportive and experienced leadership team
• Opportunities to work alongside therapists and specialist practitioners
• Clear progression pathways within specialist education
• A collaborative and highly supportive school culture
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of young people with additional needs

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced SEN practitioner looking to progress into a Higher Level Teaching Assistant role within a specialist setting where every day presents the opportunity to positively impact a young person’s future.