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- Tasks: Support secondary pupils with complex needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Specialist SEN school in Portsmouth with a dedicated team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work options, and free professional development.
- Other info: Warm, inclusive culture with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Level 2/3 qualification in childcare or relevant SEN experience required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
A specialist secondary SEN school in Portsmouth is seeking calm, patient, and resilient Special School Support Assistants to join their dedicated team. The school supports pupils aged 11-16 with a wide range of complex needs, including autism, learning difficulties, sensory processing differences, communication challenges, and barriers that affect emotional regulation and engagement.
The school also welcomes applications from staff seeking flexible work, including day-to-day, short-term, and long-term supply opportunities - ideal for those wanting varied experience within a nurturing SEN environment.
Key Responsibilities- Providing personalised support to pupils with autism, sensory needs, communication differences, and complex learning profiles.
- Supporting young people who may experience anxiety, emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, or difficulties with transitions, routines, and social interactions.
- Encouraging engagement through practical, creative, therapeutic, and differentiated learning activities suited to secondary-age learners.
- Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour throughout the school day.
- Supporting pupils with communication, emotional regulation, social understanding, independence, and life-skills development.
- Building trusting, consistent relationships using calm, clear, and supportive communication.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams, and external professionals to deliver holistic, person-centred support.
- Location: Portsmouth
- Start Date: September 2026
- Contract Type: Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available; ad-hoc supply roles also offered.
- Working Hours: 08:30am - 15:30pm
- Pay Rate: From £14.25 per hour
- Have the Right to Work in the UK.
- Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply).
- Provide professional references covering the last 24 months.
- Hold a Level 2/3 qualification in childcare, education, or health & social care or have relevant SEN experience supporting young people with complex needs.
- Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour support, and de-escalation.
- Access to a specialist in-house Training & Development Team.
- Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant.
- A warm, inclusive school environment with strong staff culture and opportunities for progression.
Know someone who would thrive in a specialist SEN setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation (T&Cs apply).
Locations
SPECIAL SCHOOL SUPPORT ASSISTANT in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Prospero Teaching
Contact Detail:
Prospero Teaching Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SPECIAL SCHOOL SUPPORT ASSISTANT in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the school you're eyeing. They can give you insider info and maybe even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion during interviews! Talk about your experiences with SEN and how you can make a difference. We want to see that you genuinely care about supporting these young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible! Whether it’s day-to-day or long-term roles, let them know you’re open to different opportunities. This shows you’re adaptable and ready to jump in wherever needed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace SPECIAL SCHOOL SUPPORT ASSISTANT in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with SEN and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can support our pupils' unique needs!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working in a special school shine through! Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to supporting young people with complex needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your qualifications and experiences are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you on board for this rewarding opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospero Teaching
✨Know Your SEN Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of special educational needs (SEN) before the interview. Understand the specific challenges faced by pupils with autism, sensory processing differences, and emotional regulation issues. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and ready to support the students effectively.
✨Showcase Your Patience and Resilience
During the interview, be prepared to share examples from your past experiences that highlight your calmness and patience. Think of situations where you've successfully managed challenging behaviours or supported someone through a tough time. This will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Engagement Strategies are Key
Discuss how you would encourage engagement through creative and practical activities tailored to secondary-age learners. Bring some ideas to the table about how you can make learning fun and accessible for students with complex needs. This shows initiative and a proactive approach.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to build trusting relationships with students and staff alike. Talk about your communication style and how you adapt it to meet the needs of different individuals. Highlighting your collaborative spirit will resonate well with the school's ethos of teamwork and support.