At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide 1:1 support to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Company: Milk Education, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and access to professional development courses.
- Other info: Join a supportive community with 24/7 consultant assistance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's confidence and educational journeys every day.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND or working with children is desirable.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Location: Woking, Surrey
Pay: Day rate – £107.00‑£112.00 | Weekly Pay
Contract: Full-time, Part-time & Long-Term Opportunities
Make Every School Day Count
At Milk Education, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. We’re looking for compassionate and dedicated Special Needs Assistants to provide 1:1 support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across our partner schools. This is more than just a support role—it’s an opportunity to become a trusted adult who makes a lasting impact on a child’s confidence, wellbeing, and educational journey.
The Role
As a 1:1 Special Needs Assistant, you’ll work closely with an individual pupil, providing tailored support to help them engage with learning, build independence, and achieve their personal goals. You may be supporting pupils with:
- Autism (ASC)
- ADHD
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
- Moderate or Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD)
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
- Physical or sensory needs
Your Responsibilities
- Provide dedicated 1:1 classroom support throughout the school day.
- Adapt learning activities to meet the individual needs of your pupil.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that encourage confidence and engagement.
- Support emotional regulation and promote positive behaviour.
- Encourage independence while offering appropriate guidance and reassurance.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, and families to support pupil progress.
- Record observations and contribute to pupil reviews where required.
- Champion inclusion, ensuring every child feels valued and supported.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for individuals who are patient, empathetic, and passionate about supporting children to succeed. Experience in any of the following is highly desirable:
- SEND or school‑based support
- Care or support work
- Residential childcare
- Youth work or mentoring
- Sports coaching
- Mental health support
- Psychology or Education graduates seeking school experience
You’ll also have:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A calm, resilient, and proactive approach.
- A genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs.
- A commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.
Why Join Milk Education?
At Milk Education, we know our people make the difference, which is why we invest in every candidate we work with.
Benefits:
- Competitive rates of pay with temp‑to‑perm routes available.
- Speedy registration process & fast‑track compliance – APSCo Compliance+ accredited for the highest safer recruitment standards.
- Flexible days and working hours to suit your schedule.
- Culture‑matched placements – we take the time to understand you and find schools that fit your values and strengths.
- Priority Partnership school network – access to trusted schools who work with us long‑term on staffing, enrichment and community initiatives.
- 5+ CPD courses completed before placement (including Safeguarding, SEND & Behaviour) with access to further accredited training through Milk Academy.
- FREE PSHE lesson plans and resources, designed by real teachers.
- FREE Educator Wellbeing resources and access to our community hub – because we believe supported staff stay longer and make a bigger impact.
- School Preparation Pack with handover notes and insightful school guides – so you walk in ready on day one.
- 24/7 support from your personal consultant, directly through their work mobile phone to ensure your journey is personal.
Requirements
- Experience working with children or young people (professional or voluntary) is desirable.
- An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply for one.
- Two professional references covering the past two years.
- The right to work in the UK.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re passionate about supporting children with additional needs and want a rewarding role where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today at Milk Education, where we connect passionate people with schools that change lives.
Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education and APSCo guidelines. Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Special Needs Assistant (1:1 Support) in Woking employer: Milk Education
At Milk Education, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through comprehensive training and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us in Woking, Surrey, where you can make a difference while enjoying competitive pay and a strong network of partner schools committed to inclusion and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Needs Assistant (1:1 Support) in Woking
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Milk Education.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Milk Education!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Milk Education, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Milk Education or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Needs Assistant (1:1 Support) in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
