SEN Teaching Assistant – Primary School in Manchester

This inclusive and community-focused primary school, located in Cheetham Hill, North Manchester, is seeking a committed and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistant to join its dedicated support team. Serving a richly diverse local community, the school is proud of its welcoming ethos, strong values, and commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive. Inclusion is central to the school’s identity. Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are fully integrated into school life, and the school places a strong emphasis on understanding individual needs, celebrating differences, and removing barriers to learning.

The leadership team has invested significantly in SEN provision, ensuring that staff are well supported, well trained, and equipped with the resources they need to deliver high-quality, personalised support. The school works closely with parents, carers, and external professionals including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and local authority support teams. This collaborative approach ensures pupils receive consistent, well-planned interventions that support both academic progress and emotional wellbeing.

The SEN Teaching Assistant role is a vital position within the school, supporting pupils with a range of additional needs across Early Years, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2. These needs may include Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, speech and language difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), sensory processing challenges, and specific learning difficulties. You may be required to work on a 1:1 basis with a named pupil or provide targeted small-group support, depending on individual needs.

Working closely with class teachers and the SENCO, you will help pupils access the curriculum, manage emotions, develop social skills, and build confidence within the classroom environment. This role requires patience, resilience, empathy, and a genuine passion for supporting children who may require additional reassurance, structure, or alternative approaches to learning. You will play a key role in helping pupils feel understood, valued, and capable of success.

• Providing consistent 1:1 or small-group support for pupils with SEN
• Supporting pupils to access learning activities in line with their individual needs
• Assisting with literacy, numeracy, phonics, and early learning interventions
• Implementing strategies outlined in Individual Education Plans (IEPs), EHCPs, and behaviour plans
• Supporting emotional regulation, sensory needs, and positive behaviour
• Using de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement strategies
• Encouraging independence, self-esteem, and social interaction
• Supporting pupils during transitions, breaktimes, and structured play
• Working collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, and pastoral staff
• Recording observations and contributing to progress reviews
• Maintaining a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment
• Upholding safeguarding and child protection policies at all times

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Previous experience supporting children with SEN (in schools, nurseries, care settings, or similar environments)
• A calm, patient, and nurturing approach to behaviour and emotional needs
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships
• Flexibility and adaptability in a busy school environment
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn
• Understanding of safeguarding and child welfare responsibilities
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team

Relevant qualifications or SEN-specific training are desirable but not essential. The school values the right attitude, commitment, and willingness to support children wholeheartedly.

In return, the school provides:

• A supportive and approachable leadership team
• Strong SEN leadership and clear systems of support
• Ongoing professional development and SEN-focused training
• A positive, inclusive staff culture
• Well-resourced classrooms and intervention spaces
• Opportunities for long-term progression within education and SEN roles
• The chance to make a genuine difference in pupils’ lives every day

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and right-to-work checks.