Autism Practitioner

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy! Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). 4DWW will be rolled out within our school when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

Location: The Tower School, Epping

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will connect directly with the brilliant pupils and young people we care for, helping to make sure they get the very best from their education. Each individual has a diagnosis of Autism and may have additional needs. They have so much potential, and they will rely on you to guide their learning journeys bespoke to them.

You will help prepare learning materials and run classroom activities, with plenty of hands-on experience and some supervision too. You will take responsibility for their emotional and physical needs, supporting them to develop as individuals and engage with the world.

You will face challenges and overcome them as you flourish and thrive, sharing your skills and learning from others as your career takes you as high as you always dreamed you could go. Every day will be different, but you will have all the support you need, with lots of skills and experience to draw on along with valuable advice and guidance too.

Who we are looking for:

• You will be adaptable and ready to work in a variety of classroom roles, both indoors and outside according to individual need.
• Taking a responsive and caring approach, you may be running classroom activities, leading outdoor experiences, or supervising pupils as they explore further afield.

Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Essential:

• GCSE English & Maths or equivalent
• Experience of working in SEND (highly desirable)
• Experience of working with Autistic young people (highly desirable)

About the school:

The Tower School is an independent special day school for pupils ages 11 – 18 years who have a primary diagnosis of Autism. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who will often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

This opportunity is based in Epping, Essex, CM16 4BA and is located on Epping High Road within easy access of J26 of the M25 and Junction 5 of the M11. Epping is a lovely market town in Essex and just 17 miles (30km) from the centre of London. It is surrounded by Epping Forest and the River Roding and River Lea valleys. The school is just a 10-minute walk from Epping station on the London Underground's central line which will have you in London’s West End in under 50 minutes.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.