At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with special educational needs through creative, one-to-one mentoring.
- Company: Join SENse Learning, a passionate team dedicated to transforming education for young people.
- Benefits: Earn £18-£23 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and make a meaningful impact.
- Other info: Self-employed role with ongoing hiring and community events.
- Why this job: Be a mentor who builds confidence and life skills in young people outside traditional classrooms.
- Qualifications: 2+ years experience with children or young people with complex needs required.
The predicted salary is between 18 - 23 € per hour.
You can make a difference, support creatively, and work within a more fulfilling and rewarding career. SENse Learning is offering 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 the most in-need young people, working across a variety of specialisms as an Education Assistant, Education Mentor, and Learning Support Mentor. Multiple positions are available, hiring is ongoing, and interviews are being arranged as applications are received.
What makes this SEN Teaching Assistant role right for you: Imagine a role where you can deliver support to a young person in a way that works for them. Not based in the classroom, but in students’ homes and out in the community, delivering interest-based, holistic sessions of learning set to the needs of the individual. Mentoring is not limited to academic subjects; it is about building confidence, encouraging emotional regulation, and supporting the development of key life skills alongside education.
The Benefits We Offer Our SEN Teaching Assistant
- 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
SEN Teaching Assistant Role Requirements
- Experience: 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)
- Background: Ideal for Support Workers, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), Higher‑Level TAs, Youth Workers, Personal Assistants (PAs), or those with other relevant care or education backgrounds
- Approach: Understanding of how to work in a child‑centred, holistic way; you will have the ingenuity and creativity to make the curriculum work in an individual, student‑centred way
- Compliance: Enhanced DBS (we can facilitate this if needed) and 2+ professional references
- Location: You must be based in the UK with the right to work in the UK, even for remote / online jobs
- Safeguarding: Knowledge of safeguarding and creating a safe learning environment
The SEN Teaching Assistant Role And 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
At SENse Learning, we are on a mission to raise the standard of education for young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), as well as those with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs. We are increasingly supporting children and young people with MLD (Moderate Learning Difficulties), SLD (Severe Learning Difficulties), and PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties). We passionately believe in the transformative power of education, and through bespoke, one‑to‑one lessons, our dedicated team makes a positive impact on students’ lives every day. Join us and be part of our mission!
We take Safer Recruitment seriously. All candidates must pass through our safer recruitment process to ensure their suitability to work with children and young people.
SEN Teaching Assistant Employment Status
This position involves engaging with us as a self‑employed mentor. We provide guidance/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
Individuals with highly relevant experience from teaching background often have worked in the following roles: SENDCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator), SLD / MLD Teacher, Autism / ADHD Support Teacher, Intervention Specialist / Teacher / Tutor, Ex‑Teacher. Other highly relevant roles from therapeutic and learning support background include: 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.
Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every applicant. We aim to respond to all successful applicants within two weeks.
SEN Teaching Assistant — Dunstable employer: SENse Learning
SENse Learning is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with special educational needs. With competitive pay, flexible working hours, and a supportive community, we empower our SEN Teaching Assistants to deliver personalised mentoring in homes and community settings. Our commitment to employee growth and well-being, alongside engaging company events, creates a fulfilling work culture that values creativity and compassion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN Teaching Assistant — Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on SENse Learning. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with what they’re all about. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through some common interview questions related to SEN teaching and mentoring. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in supporting young people with additional needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! During the interview, let your personality shine through. SEN teaching is all about building relationships, so showing your genuine passion for helping young people will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace SEN Teaching Assistant — Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for working with young people with special educational needs. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the SEN Teaching Assistant role. We want to know how your background fits into our mission!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate clarity!
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 started on this exciting journey with SENse Learning.
How to prepare for a job interview at SENse Learning
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a SEN Teaching Assistant inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with complex additional needs and think about how your experience aligns with the job description. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Since this role involves delivering creative and interest-based sessions, be prepared to share examples of how you've used innovative approaches in your previous work. Think about activities or strategies that have worked well for you in the past and be ready to discuss how you can adapt them to meet individual needs.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with the interviewer. Use active listening skills and engage with their questions thoughtfully. Share personal anecdotes that highlight your ability to form positive relationships with young people, as this is crucial for a SEN Teaching Assistant.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values. You might ask about their approach to supporting staff or how they measure the success of their mentoring programmes.
