Autism Support Specialist in London

Treetops House is an approved independent day special school in Hammersmith for pupils aged 8-16 (Years 4-11), with a planned capacity of up to 20 pupils across four small classes. Our calm, nurturing and ambitious approach supports communication, confidence, independence and preparation for adulthood.

Our ethos and values: Respect, Excellence, Integrity and Positivity guide our relationships and practice. We protect dignity, maintain ambitious expectations and recognise progress from each pupil’s starting point.

The role: We are seeking an autism support specialist to join us for one day each week. Support autistic pupils through accessible communication, predictable routines and personalised adjustments. The weekly allocation includes agreed assessment, direct support, consultation, staff guidance and record keeping; the caseload will be agreed to fit the available time.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop visual schedules, predictable routines, environmental adjustments and structured teaching approaches.
• Support communication, sensory preferences, participation and transitions in collaboration with pupils and families.
• Coach staff and evaluate adjustments against pupil wellbeing, engagement and agreed outcomes.
• Plan provision around assessed needs, pupil voice and EHCP outcomes; work closely with the Headteacher, SENCO, class staff, families and other professionals.
• Maintain accurate, secure records and clear handover guidance so agreed support continues between weekly visits.
• Recognise, record and report safeguarding concerns promptly through the DSL or DDSL; work within professional competence and agreed school procedures.

Contribution to the school day:

• Take part in the morning welcome, regulation routines, transitions, departure preparation and safe handover on the agreed working day.
• Support pupils in class and shadow lessons to understand learning, communication and regulation needs and how specialist strategies can be embedded.
• Undertake agreed lesson observations focused on the role’s specialism; provide constructive feedback and practical recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team and class staff.
• Contribute to risk assessed break and lunchtime supervision on the agreed rota, using these opportunities to support communication, peer interaction and independence.
• Lead or contribute to agreed INSET, SEND training and coaching within professional expertise, including modelling strategies, checking staff understanding and reviewing implementation.
• Agree a manageable balance of intervention, observation, training, supervision, reports and school duties within the one day allocation; additional attendance must be agreed in advance. Clinical priorities and professional confidentiality must be respected.

Working day and deployment:

• Attend the 08:45-08:55 operational briefing and move to welcome positions by 08:55. The pupil day runs from 09:00 to 14:50, including morning break 10:45-11:05 and pupil lunch 12:35-13:05. Support departure preparation from 14:35 and attend the compulsory 14:50-15:00 daily handover.
• The 14:05-14:35 flexible slot may support EHCP interventions where timetabled.
• Specialist teacher posts follow the teacher pattern: 08:30-16:00, or 08:30-16:30 on Wednesday. The ELSA support post follows the TA pattern: 08:30-15:30, or 08:30-16:30 on Wednesday. Other clinical and specialist practitioners agree their finishing time contractually, using these school patterns as the deployment reference. Each has a protected 30 minute lunch.
• Wednesday includes extended CPD, moderation and SEND review; participation applies when it is the agreed working day. Final hours and terms remain subject to proprietor approval and HR review.

Intervention intent application and outcomes:

• Intent: establish a baseline, identify barriers and agree specific, measurable goals linked to assessed needs and EHCP outcomes. Support autistic pupils through accessible communication, predictable routines and personalised adjustments.
• Application: agree an individual or group programme, frequency, resources and responsible staff. Deliver direct intervention, model strategies in class and provide written guidance for implementation between weekly visits. Secure appropriate consent and work within professional competence.
• Outcomes: record progress from the baseline, pupil and family views, and transfer of skills into lessons and daily routines. Review at agreed intervals with the SENCO and SLT, adapting, ending or escalating provision when the evidence indicates this is needed.

Essential qualifications and experience:

• Relevant SEND or autism qualification or substantial equivalent specialist experience, with evidence of effective practice with autistic children.
• Ability to contribute to classroom support, safe social time supervision, lesson observation feedback and staff training within the role’s competence.
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND; clear safeguarding awareness; strong communication and collaborative working; ability to evaluate progress and provide practical guidance to staff and families.

Desirable:

• Experience in a special school, alternative provision or multidisciplinary setting; familiarity with EHCP outcomes, autism and complex learning or communication profiles.

Why join Treetops House: Work with very small classes, help shape a developing school and collaborate closely with education, family and care colleagues. We offer school induction, safeguarding training and opportunities for reflective practice.

Treetops House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment is subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks appropriate to the role, including identity, right to work, qualifications, professional registration, references, enhanced DBS and children’s barred list checks where applicable, relevant prohibition and overseas checks. Shortlisted candidates may be subject to an online search of publicly available information. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.