Teaching Assistant in Leicester

SEND Support Worker – High Needs Pupils | Leicester City

Start Date: ASAP

Be the Difference in a Young Person's Day!

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with complex additional needs? Do you have the patience, resilience and dedication to help pupils overcome barriers and achieve their full potential?

TeacherActive is recruiting experienced and compassionate SEND Support Workers to work with high-needs pupils across Leicester City.

This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who want to make a genuine difference, providing personalised support to some of the most vulnerable learners and helping them develop confidence, independence and essential life skills.

The Role – More Than Just Classroom Support!

You will work closely with children and young people with a range of complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), providing tailored support to help them access education, manage their emotions and develop essential skills.

Pupils may have needs including:

• Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Communication and interaction difficulties
• Sensory processing needs
• Physical disabilities and complex care requirements

Your Responsibilities

• Providing dedicated 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with high and complex needs.
• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, behaviour and engagement in learning.
• Implementing individual support plans and adapting activities to meet pupils' abilities.
• Using communication strategies such as PECS, Makaton and visual aids where appropriate.
• Supporting pupils with personal care, mobility and daily living skills where required.
• Creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and other professionals.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive social interactions.
• Using positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies to manage challenging situations safely.

Who Are We Looking For?

We're looking for individuals who are

• proactive, compassionate, resilient and genuinely passionate about SEND support.
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEND, complex needs or challenging behaviour.
• A patient, understanding and adaptable approach.
• Confidence supporting pupils with high levels of need.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Experience in SEND schools, specialist provisions, residential care or alternative education settings.
• Knowledge of autism, PMLD, SLD or SEMH.
• Experience with personal care and complex physical needs.
• Training in Team Teach, PRICE, Makaton, PECS or similar approaches.
• Relevant qualifications in education, health and social care or SEND support.

Why Join TeacherActive?

Competitive hourly pay of £14.25-£17.50, depending on experience and the role.

Flexible opportunities to suit your availability.

Full-time, part-time and ongoing placements.

Opportunities to gain experience supporting a variety of complex needs.

Dedicated support from an experienced recruitment consultant.

Access to CPD and professional development.

Rewarding work where every small achievement makes a big difference.

Ready to Make a Lasting Impact?

For pupils with complex needs, progress doesn't always look like passing an exam. Sometimes it's communicating a need, building trust, developing independence or simply feeling safe enough to engage.

Every achievement matters – and you could be the person who helps make it happen.

If you're an experienced SEND Support Worker, Teaching Assistant, Residential Support Worker or Care Professional looking to make a difference in education, we'd love to hear from you.

All applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business in providing temporary or contract job-seeking services.

About TeacherActive

TeacherActive is one of the UK’s leading education recruitment agencies, with over 20 years of experience supporting schools and education professionals. We place teachers and support staff into a wide range of temporary, contract and permanent roles, helping candidates find rewarding opportunities that suit their experience, availability and career goals. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to both our schools and candidates.

TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency in providing temporary, contract and permanent job seeking services.

Safeguarding and DBS Compliance

Registration may involve an enhanced DBS check, ID checks and the supply of good professional references, depending on the role. We are committed to safeguarding and compliance across all placements.

Regular external audits have shown repeatedly that our standards are exceptional. We are passionate about finding the right staff for each education environment.