At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with Special Educational Needs to achieve their personal goals.
- Company: Join a warm, collaborative team at Penny Tree School.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension options, and mental health support.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting journey in a new school with growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people every day.
- Qualifications: Caring, patient, and adaptable individuals who can communicate effectively.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 31022 £ per year.
Build a career where every day you help young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) achieve more than they ever imagined. As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll be part of a warm, collaborative team dedicated to helping each learner feel safe, confident and ready to engage.
Who We’re Looking For
- Supporting children and young people with SEND, including complex needs, to access learning and achieve personal goals
- Assisting with engaging classroom, outdoor and enrichment activities tailored to individual needs
- Providing emotional, behavioural and practical support to help pupils feel safe, valued and understood
- Encouraging independence, communication, positive relationships and social development
What you’ll bring
- Caring, patient and adaptable, with a genuine desire to help young people with SEND thrive
- Resilient, positive and able to work collaboratively within a supportive team
- A confident communicator who builds trust with pupils, colleagues and families
- Flexible, enthusiastic and ready to support learning in a range of settings and situations
About Us
Our new Options Autism school – Penny Tree – will have capacity for up to 100 pupils and is expected to open for students in the near future. At Penny Tree School, you will be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team at the very start of an exciting journey. Backed by the expertise of Options Autism and Outcomes First Group, you will benefit from access to a wide professional network, ongoing development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the pupils we serve.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. 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.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
Sen Teaching Assistant in Birmingham employer: Penny Tree School
At Penny Tree School, part of the renowned Options Autism and Outcomes First Group, we offer a nurturing environment where you can truly make a difference in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our extensive benefits package, including mental health support, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities, all within a collaborative and supportive team culture. Join us at the forefront of innovative education, where every day is an opportunity to inspire and empower our pupils.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sen Teaching Assistant in Birmingham
✨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 Penny Tree School.
✨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 Penny Tree School!
✨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 Penny Tree School, 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 Penny Tree School 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 Sen Teaching Assistant in Birmingham
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 Penny Tree School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Penny Tree School! 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 Penny Tree School
✨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.
