Alternative Provision Assistant
Location: Ashington, Northumberland
Contract: Term-time only
Hours: 08:30 - 15:30, Monday - Friday
Start: September 2026
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people who thrive outside of mainstream education? Do you want to make a real difference by helping pupils overcome barriers to learning, develop confidence, and achieve positive outcomes?
Milk Education is working in partnership with a fantastic specialist setting in Ashington to appoint an Alternative Provision Assistant to join their dedicated, child-centred team.
About the School
This welcoming specialist provision supports pupils with Autism (ASD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, complex learning difficulties, sensory needs, speech and language needs, and behaviours that can become dysregulated.
The school provides a nurturing, structured environment where pupils receive tailored support to help them re-engage with learning, develop emotional resilience, and build the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
They achieve this through:
- Individualised learning programmes tailored to each pupil’s needs.
- Close collaboration with therapists, external professionals, and families.
- A strong focus on emotional regulation, wellbeing, communication, and positive relationships.
- Trauma-informed, restorative approaches that promote confidence, independence, and personal growth.
Joining this school means becoming part of a supportive team committed to helping every child reach their full potential.
Role: Alternative Provision Assistant
As an Alternative Provision Assistant, you’ll work closely with teachers, SEN practitioners, therapists, and pastoral teams to support pupils with a range of additional needs. You’ll help remove barriers to learning, encourage positive behaviour, and provide consistent emotional support throughout the school day.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone considering a future career in Teaching, Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Youth Work, Counselling, or Mental Health.
Key Responsibilities
- Support pupils with Autism, SEMH, learning difficulties, and additional needs throughout the school day.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that encourage engagement, confidence, and independence.
- Deliver 1:1 and small-group support tailored to individual learning and behaviour plans.
- Support pupils to regulate their emotions using positive behaviour management and de-escalation strategies.
- Work alongside teachers and therapists to implement personalised support plans.
- Assist with personal care where required.
- Observe, monitor, and accurately record pupil progress, behaviour, and wellbeing.
- Help create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every pupil can succeed.
Essential Criteria
- Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH, Autism, or additional needs in education, care, youth work, or similar settings (desirable but not essential).
- Comfortable supporting pupils with personal care where required.
- Calm, patient, resilient, and able to build positive relationships.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- A genuine passion for supporting young people to overcome barriers to education and achieve positive outcomes.
Why Work with Milk Education?
- Excellent experience for graduates and aspiring teachers, psychologists, youth workers, social workers, and mental health professionals.
- Ongoing support if you’re looking to secure a permanent role within a school.
- Free classroom resources to support your work.
- A dedicated consultant available throughout your placement.
- Access to CPD and specialist training to enhance your skills.
- Proud to be an eco-friendly, purpose-driven agency committed to rewarding and valuing our staff.
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact by supporting young people in an alternative provision setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Call: 0191 486 2500
Email: gemma.howe@milk-education.co.uk
Alternative Provision Assistant in Ashington employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
