SEN Teaching Assistant — Kempston in Bedford

We offer a unique opportunity for passionate mentors to make a real impact. Our SEN Teaching Assistant roles allow you to provide one-to-one mentoring and learning support for young people with complex needs. You will work across a variety of specialisms as an Education Assistant, Education Mentor, and Learning Support Mentor.

What makes this role right for you:

• It involves delivering support to a young person in a way that works for them.
• Rather than working in a classroom, you will support learning in homes and community settings, providing interest-based, holistic sessions that meet the individual’s needs.
• Mentoring goes beyond academic subjects – it focuses on building confidence, encouraging emotional regulation, and supporting key life skills.

Benefits We Offer:

• Competitive pay: £18 – £23 per hour
• Flexible working: Craft your own schedule with in-person, hybrid, and community-based support opportunities, agreeing session times with parents, carers, or schools.
• Flexible hours: Part-time up to full-time hours, arranged in consultation with clients and schools to suit your schedule.
• Meaningful work: Support young people who are often excluded or disengaged from traditional education.
• Pastoral and Pathways Support: SENse Learning keeps a team around you and the child.
• Community and Company Events: Knowledge sharing and resources.
• Referral Programme: Get rewarded for successful tutor referrals.

At SENse Learning, you will join a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to forward-thinking approaches to supporting SEND Learners and shaping a brighter future for every student.

Requirements:

• At least 2 years of experience working with children or young people with complex additional needs (e.g. ASC, ADHD, SEMH, EBSA, trauma, PDA, mental health).
• Ideal backgrounds include Support Workers, Learning Support Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Higher-Level TAs, Youth Workers, Personal Assistants, or other relevant care or education roles.
• Understanding of how to work in a child-centred, holistic way; creativity to tailor the curriculum for each student.
• Enhanced DBS (facilitated if needed) and 2+ professional references.
• Must be based in the UK with the right to work in the UK, even for remote or online work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and creating a safe learning environment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop strong, positive relationships with children and young people who may have faced significant challenges in previous education settings.
• Provide one-to-one support in homes and community settings, delivering creative and interest-based activities.
• Support the development of life skills, confidence, and independence.
• Use trauma-informed approaches and flexible strategies to support a wide range of additional needs.
• Understand the importance of emotional regulation and implement strategies to model and encourage this.
• Provide feedback and reflections to track progress and adapt support where needed.

Mission:

We are on a mission to raise the standard of education for young people with SEND, SEMH, MLD, SLD, and PMLD. We believe in the transformative power of education, and through bespoke, one-to-one lessons our team makes a positive impact on students’ lives every day.

Compliance:

We take Safer Recruitment seriously. All candidates must pass through our safer recruitment process to ensure suitability for working with children and young people.

Employment Status:

This position involves engaging with us as a self-employed mentor. We provide guidance and signposting on accessing resources to register as self-employed if you are not registered already. This is not a PAYE position.

Relevant Job Titles / Previous Experience:

• SENDCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator)
• SLD / MLD Teacher
• Autism / ADHD Support Teacher
• Intervention Specialist / Teacher / Tutor
• Ex-Teacher
• Learning Support Assistant (LSA) / Teaching Assistant (TA)
• Educational Therapist
• Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)
• Educational Psychologist (EP)
• Inclusion Coordinator

If you hold one of these roles, meet our requirements, and are considering a career change, please do consider applying with us.