SEN Teaching Assistant and Travel Coach in Leeds

Location: Leeds SEN school

Start Date: September 2026

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

NextGen Teachers are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a highly respected specialist school in Leeds for a Travel Trainer & SEN Teaching Assistant to join their dedicated team on a full-time, permanent basis from September 2026. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to support a Key Stage 3/Key Stage 4 student on a 1:1 basis, helping them develop the confidence and life skills required to travel independently to and from school using public transport. Once the student has arrived safely at school, you will continue supporting them throughout the school day as a SEN Teaching Assistant within the classroom. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about promoting independence, building confidence, and supporting young people with Special Educational Needs to develop essential life skills.

For this role candidates applying MUST be local to Leeds and understand public transport routes to be able to safely train the 121 pupil with SEN. Candidates applying MUST also have experience working with children or adults who live with; ASD, ADHD Learning Needs and Behavioural needs.

The Role

• Provide 1:1 travel training to support a KS3/KS4 student in learning to travel safely and independently using public transport.
• Teach essential travel skills including route planning, road safety, bus and train travel, time management, and problem-solving.
• Build the student's confidence and independence while gradually reducing support as appropriate.
• Work closely with parents, school staff, and external professionals to ensure consistent progress.
• Support the student throughout the school day within the classroom as a SEN Teaching Assistant.
• Assist with learning activities, behaviour support, communication, and social development.
• Promote a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment.

To be considered for this role, applicants must have:

• Previous experience working with children or young people with Special Educational Needs.
• Strong experience supporting pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and communication needs.
• The confidence and ability to support and teach independent travel skills using public transport.
• Be local to Leeds and a regular user of public transport, with a good understanding of local bus and rail networks.
• Excellent communication, patience, and relationship-building skills.
• A calm, proactive, and encouraging approach to supporting young people.
• A genuine passion for helping students develop independence and life skills.

What NextGen Teachers Offer

• A rewarding full-time, permanent position within a supportive specialist school.
• A dedicated education recruitment consultant throughout the recruitment process.
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to a young person's independence and future.
• Ongoing support and opportunities for professional development.
• The chance to work within an experienced and welcoming SEN team.

This is an incredibly rewarding role where no two days are the same. You will play a vital part in helping a young person gain the confidence to travel independently while also supporting their education and personal development throughout the school day. Interviews are taking place over the coming weeks, with the successful candidate expected to start in September 2026. Early applications are encouraged as this is expected to be a popular vacancy. If you have the experience, compassion, and commitment to support young people with Autism and communication needs to become more independent, we'd love to hear from you.

NextGen Teachers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and compliance with safer recruitment procedures.