At a Glance
- Tasks: Support secondary-aged students with SEND, providing encouragement and positive role modelling.
- Company: Join Tradewind Recruitment, a 5-star rated agency in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, access to 2,500+ free training courses, and holiday pay.
- Other info: Full training provided; excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives by providing essential support and stability.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth work or community projects; SEND qualifications are a bonus but not required.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Do you have experience in sports, coaching, youth work, community groups or religious organisations? Want to use those skills to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Tradewind Recruitment is seeking motivated, confident individuals to join a SEND school for secondary-aged pupils (including those with autism and SEMH needs) in Rochdale. This is a full-time role available from September 2026 and we need someone who is committed, reliable, and ready to make a lasting difference.
The Role:
- Support secondary-aged students (11-18 or equivalent SEND age range) who have autism, SEMH, or related additional needs, providing structure, encouragement, and positive role modelling.
- Use your background in sports, fitness, martial arts, youth or community work, or faith-based projects to build trust, boost confidence, and help students regulate emotions.
- Help students stay focused in class, manage behaviour, and develop routines that support their learning and wellbeing.
- Work 1:1 and in small groups to deliver personalised support and interventions.
- Be part of a SEND specialist team committed to consistency, safety, and emotional stability.
Who This Role Would Suit:
- Someone with experience working with young people - in schools, coaching, youth clubs, community initiatives, religious organisations, or similar settings.
- Calm, patient, confident, with strong emotional resilience.
- Excellent communicator, able to build trusting relationships with students, staff, families.
- Highly reliable and consistent - unreliability can be extremely detrimental to students' mental health and progress, especially those with SEND and SEMH.
Bonus Points If You Have:
- Specific experience of autism, SEMH, or related special needs.
- Experience mentoring teens or working in settings which support pupils who dysregulate behaviour.
- Any SEND / TA qualifications (e.g. Level 2/3, NVQ, CACHE) though not essential - full training provided.
What We Offer:
- Competitive full-time daily pay.
- Access to over 2,500 free training courses, including specialist courses in behaviour management, autism awareness, mental health support.
- Interview support and preparation.
- Local payroll - no umbrella companies.
- Holiday pay, referral bonuses, and social/networking events.
Why This Role Matters:
For students with SEND and SEMH, consistency, structure, and reliable support are not optional - they are essential. If you've been active in youth work, community projects, faith groups, sport or coaching, your skills and reliability can help these young people feel safe, understood, and supported. Being present every single day isn't just about attendance - it's about protecting emotional wellbeing and giving them the stability they need to thrive.
Ready to Get Started?
Call our Manchester team on (phone number removed) or email (url removed) to apply or learn more. Search 'Tradewind Recruitment Manchester' to see why we're rated 5 stars by candidates just like you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Teaching Assistant - Rochdale
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Tradewind Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Tradewind Recruitment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Tradewind Recruitment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Tradewind Recruitment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Teaching Assistant - Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Tradewind Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tradewind Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tradewind Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
