SEN Teaching Assistant – Secondary (Complex Needs)

The Teaching Assistant role at a Trust in Newham is focused on supporting students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). The school emphasises an inclusive approach, ensuring every child can achieve success through a broad and balanced curriculum. The role is integral to fostering the development of the whole child, aligning with the school's commitment to a curriculum that balances academic success, character and well-being, and practical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities:

• Support the learning and development of students with SEND.
• Assist in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Foster an inclusive environment that encourages student success.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to support student needs.
• Engage with students to promote their academic and personal growth.

Requirements:

This role is focused on supporting students with highly complex SEN needs in a secondary setting. You will work closely with teachers and the SEN team to ensure pupils can engage with learning, regulate emotions, and make progress both academically and socially. You may be supporting one pupil on a 1:1 basis or working with small groups, depending on need.

Key Responsibilities:

• Learning Support:

• Provide targeted support to individual pupils or small groups.
• Help pupils access the curriculum and overcome learning barriers.
• Support reading, writing, numeracy, and engagement in lessons.
• Prepare and organise learning materials.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and participation.

• Support pupils with SEND under the direction of the class teacher and SEN team.
• Assist with behaviour regulation and positive learning environments.
• Supervise pupils during breaks, lunchtimes, and activities where required.

• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Support emotional regulation and social development.
• Assist with personal care where required (training provided).
• Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns appropriately.

• Engage in training and development opportunities.
• Take responsibility for improving your own practice.
• Work collaboratively as part of a wider SEN team.

Essential Requirements:

• Experience working with young people aged 11–18.
• A genuine interest in supporting pupils with SEN.
• Calm, patient, and resilient approach.
• Reliable, organised, and professional.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare.

Desirable (Not Essential):

• Experience supporting pupils with complex or high-needs SEN.
• 1:1 SEN support experience.
• Team Teach (or willingness to train).
• ELSA training (or willingness to train).
• Experience running small group interventions.

Benefits:

• Supportive SEN team and strong leadership.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Long-term opportunity within education.
• A role where you genuinely make a difference every day.

Additional Requirements:

• Differentiated lesson planning & delivery.
• Assessment for learning.
• Positive behaviour support.
• Individualised curriculum adaptation.
• Multi-agency collaboration.
• Communication expertise.
• Safeguarding & pastoral care.
• Data & record keeping.
• Assistive technology proficiency.
• Teamwork & coaching.
• Reflective practice & CPD.