At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with Special Educational Needs in a nurturing school environment.
- Company: Join a caring SEND school in Burgess Hill, dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive team, and clear pathway to permanent role.
- Other info: Enjoy a warm, welcoming team and excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND or a passion for helping children is essential.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
Location: Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:45am – 4:00pm (5:00pm finish on Tuesdays) – Term Time Only
Pay: £110 per day
Contract: Full-Time | Temp-to-Perm Pathway from Day One
Start Date: 1st September
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? Do you have the patience, empathy and resilience to help students overcome barriers and achieve their full potential?
The school caters for both primary and secondary-aged pupils with a wide range of SEND needs. Every student is unique, and the school prides itself on delivering highly personalised support, enabling pupils to flourish both academically and personally.
As a Teaching Assistant, you'll be supporting students with a variety of additional needs. Some pupils have more complex communication needs and require tailored support throughout the school day. Experience using alternative communication methods such as Makaton, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), visual symbols, or other communication aids would be highly valued, although training and support will be provided for the right candidate.
The school is also looking for someone who understands the importance of emotional regulation. Whether your experience comes from a professional setting or your personal life, if you've successfully used distraction techniques, calming strategies, sensory approaches or relationship-based support to help children regulate their emotions, we'd love to hear from you.
This is a wonderful opportunity to become part of a caring, highly skilled team in a school that genuinely invests in both its pupils and staff.
What You'll Be Doing
- Supporting children and young people across the primary and secondary phases.
- Working with pupils with a wide range of SEND needs, including more complex learning and communication needs.
- Using communication strategies such as Makaton, PECS, visual symbols and other alternative communication methods where appropriate.
- Supporting students with emotional regulation through positive behaviour strategies, sensory approaches and distraction techniques.
- Building trusting relationships that promote confidence, independence and engagement.
- Working closely with teachers, therapists and the wider SEND team to deliver personalised support.
- Encouraging students to develop both academically and socially in a safe, nurturing environment.
What We're Looking For
- Experience working with children or young people with SEND (professional or personal experience welcomed).
- Understanding of a range of additional needs and how they can impact learning.
- Experience or knowledge of Makaton, PECS, visual symbols or alternative communication methods would be advantageous.
- An understanding of emotional regulation and strategies to support students during times of dysregulation.
- A calm, patient and positive approach.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- A genuine passion for helping children and young people achieve their potential.
Why Join This School?
- A warm, welcoming and highly supportive staff team.
- Outstanding facilities designed to meet the needs of students with SEND.
- Excellent opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.
- A rewarding role where every day makes a real difference.
- Temp-to-perm from Day One – you'll begin on a clear pathway towards a permanent position from your very first day, with the intention of joining the school permanently if it’s the right fit for both you and the school.
If you're looking for a role where your support can genuinely transform the lives of children with SEND, we'd love to hear from you.
Safeguarding Statement: Pink Tile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, professional references, and all other safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
Important Notice: In accordance with the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, this advertisement is for the purpose of identifying suitable applicants. We reserve the right to withdraw the advert prior to the closing date should a suitable candidate be appointed.
Special Needs Teaching Assistant in Burgess Hill employer: Pink Tile Education Ltd
Join a nurturing and supportive nursery in Chichester where your contributions are genuinely valued and appreciated. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, ongoing professional development, and a welcoming team environment, this role offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying consistent hours and the potential for long-term employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Needs Teaching Assistant in Burgess Hill
✨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 Pink Tile Education Ltd.
✨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 Pink Tile Education Ltd!
✨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 Pink Tile Education Ltd, 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 Pink Tile Education Ltd 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 Teaching Assistant in Burgess Hill
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 Pink Tile Education Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Pink Tile Education Ltd! 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 Pink Tile Education Ltd
✨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.
