Special Needs Assistant

What skills and experience we're looking for

Do you want to work with children who love learning, in a school where they are truly at the heart of everything we do?

Are you looking to join a collaborative, supportive staff team where relationships matter and every child is supported to thrive?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a compassionate, dedicated Special Needs Assistant to join our caring and committed team from September 2026.

The role will involve providing one-to-one support for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Year R. Support would be for children with significant communication and interaction and speech and language needs. This would be alongside, social, emotional and developmental differences and requires a nurturing, structured and highly individualised approach to learning and play.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting our children to

• develop early communication skills using a range of approaches (e.g. visuals, modelling, interaction)
• engage in structured, motivating learning and play activities
• build attention, play and social interaction skills
• follow routines and manage transitions with adult support
• develop independence in self-care and daily routines
• remain safe within the school environment through close supervision

Sharing and implementing agreed strategies and contributing to review meetings will be a key component of the role.

The candidate will preferably have experience of supporting pupils with additional needs, particularly those with speech, language and communication needs, autism spectrum profiles, and/or social and emotional needs.

We are looking for someone who

• is nurturing, kind and patient
• demonstrates high levels of emotional intelligence
• enjoys working with children with a range of needs
• is committed to building strong, trusting relationships
• can provide calm, consistent and structured support
• works positively as part of a team
• has a positive outlook with a good sense of humour
• is organised and able to work independently
• has competence in Literacy and Numeracy

Your responsibilities will include

• working 1:1 with a child to support access to learning and the wider school environment
• supporting the child to work towards personalised EHCP outcomes
• delivering targeted interventions and structured play-based learning
• supporting emotional regulation, routines and transitions
• preparing and organising resources, including visual supports
• working closely with teaching staff, the SENDCo and external professionals
• ensuring the safety and welfare of the child at all times

What the school offers its staff

The team at Charles Kingsley’s are highly skilled, dedicated and lots of fun, so the successful candidate will have plenty of support in a happy environment. You will be part of a school where wellbeing, collaboration and professional development are prioritised. A structured programme of induction, training and ongoing support will be provided.

This is a fixed-term post until 31 August 2027, initially linked to individual pupil needs, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and staffing requirements.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to Safer Recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with children’s barred list information, online checks, satisfactory references, and verification of right to work in the UK.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. As a Church of England school, we value and respect people of all backgrounds and beliefs and seek staff who will support our inclusive ethos.

Should you be interested in applying for this post please email your application to

Mrs S Turner

s.turner@charleskingsleys.hants.sch.uk

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.