SENSA (Special Education Needs Support Assistant) in Stoke-on-Trent

We are seeking to appoint a caring, motivated, and resilient Special Educational Needs Support Assistant (SENSA) to join our specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school. This is a rewarding opportunity to support young people with additional needs to access learning, develop confidence, and achieve positive outcomes. The successful candidate will work closely with teaching and pastoral staff to provide tailored support for students with SEMH needs, autism, ADHD, SEND, and other barriers to learning. You will play a key role in helping students engage positively with education and develop socially, emotionally, and academically.

Key Responsibilities

• Support students in lessons, interventions, and structured activities
• Provide one-to-one and small group support tailored to individual needs
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and engagement in learning
• Help create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment
• Support students with social skills, communication, and independence
• Assist teachers with classroom preparation and learning resources
• Monitor and record student progress, behaviour, and wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external professionals

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have experience working with children or young people with SEMH, SEND, autism, ADHD, or behavioural needs
• Be patient, empathetic, and resilient
• Have strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Be able to remain calm and adaptable in challenging situations
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing
• Have a positive and proactive approach to supporting vulnerable learners

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities. We empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team. Together, let’s make the remarkable happen. We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary. Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future. The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one. Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:

• Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited.
• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £19,898-£20,866

Working hours: 32.5 hours per week, Term Time plus 5 Inset Days (39 weeks total)