About this role

SEND Teaching Assistant - Build Your Career in Specialist Education

Location

Liverpool, Merseyside

Pay

£95-£105 per day

Contract

Full-Time | Long-Term

Start Date

ASAP

If you're passionate about supporting children with additional needs but also want to develop your own career, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

Working as a SEND Teaching Assistant isn't simply about providing classroom support. It's an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge, gain valuable practical experience and build the skills that could open doors to a range of careers within education.

From understanding autism and communication differences to developing behaviour-support strategies and working alongside experienced SENCOs and teachers, every day offers something new to learn.

We're recruiting a SEND Teaching Assistant to join an inclusive school in Liverpool, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

This is a full-time, long-term position with an immediate start, offering the opportunity to establish yourself within a supportive educational environment while building your professional experience.

SEND education is a specialist field, and the experience you gain can be incredibly valuable.

You'll work with children who have a variety of additional needs, potentially including

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) - developing your understanding of communication differences, sensory processing and individual learning approaches.

ADHD - learning practical strategies to support attention, organisation, emotional regulation and classroom engagement.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs - developing confidence in positive behaviour support, relationship building and emotional regulation.

Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) - gaining experience with visual communication, adapted instructions and alternative communication methods.

Moderate and Complex Learning Difficulties - learning how to differentiate activities and support pupils working at different developmental stages.

Physical and Sensory Disabilities - understanding how to adapt learning environments and promote accessibility and independence.

Rather than simply following the same routine each day, you'll develop the ability to recognise individual barriers to learning and respond with practical, pupil-centred strategies.

These are transferable skills that can support your progression into increasingly specialist roles.

Working alongside classroom teachers, the SENCO and other education professionals, you'll play an important role in helping pupils access learning and participate confidently in school life.

Your responsibilities will include

Providing individual and small-group support for pupils with SEND.

Adapting classroom activities to suit different learning abilities and communication styles.

Supporting pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Helping children develop confidence, independence and essential life skills.

Delivering targeted learning interventions under the guidance of teaching staff.

Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies.

Using visual timetables, communication resources and structured routines.

Helping pupils manage transitions, sensory challenges and changes to their environment.

Encouraging social interaction, communication and positive relationships.

Observing and recording pupil progress against individual targets.

Contributing to discussions about learning strategies and pupil development.

Working collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and specialist professionals.

Supporting personal care or physical needs where required.

Maintaining a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.

As your experience grows, you'll develop a deeper understanding of how specialist education provision works and how different professionals contribute to a child's progress.

One of the biggest advantages of working within SEND education is the variety of career pathways available.

Whether you're at the beginning of your education career or looking to take your existing experience further, this role could help you develop towards opportunities such as:

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Build the confidence and classroom experience needed to work towards higher-level responsibilities, including delivering learning activities and supporting teaching and learning more independently.

Specialist SEND Teaching Assistant

Develop expertise in areas such as autism, complex learning needs, communication support or social, emotional and mental health.

Behaviour Support or Pastoral Support

Gain experience understanding behaviour, emotional regulation and the relationship between wellbeing and learning.

SENCO or SEND Leadership Pathways

Develop an understanding of SEND provision, EHCPs and inclusive education that could support longer-term progression into SEND coordination or leadership, subject to the relevant qualifications and experience.

Qualified Teaching

If you're considering becoming a teacher, practical classroom experience can provide a valuable foundation before progressing into teacher training.

Educational Psychology, Therapy or Specialist Support

For graduates considering careers in psychology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy or other specialist services, experience supporting children with SEND can provide valuable insight into working with young people with additional needs.

Some career pathways require additional qualifications, professional training or registration.

We're interested in hearing from people who genuinely want to develop their experience within education and SEND.

You may already be working as a

Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant.

SEN or SEND Teaching Assistant.

One-to-One Support Assistant.

Behaviour Mentor or Pastoral Support Assistant.

Children's Support Worker.

Youth Worker or Residential Support Worker.

Care Assistant supporting individuals with additional needs.

We would also welcome applications from psychology graduates, education graduates and individuals considering teacher training who are looking to build relevant practical experience.

Previous experience supporting children or young people with additional needs would be particularly beneficial.

You'll need to be someone who

Has a genuine interest in supporting children with SEND.

Is patient, adaptable and emotionally resilient.

Can build trusting, professional relationships with pupils.

Understands that every child learns and communicates differently.

Is willing to learn new strategies and develop specialist knowledge.

Can follow guidance while using initiative appropriately.

Communicates effectively with teachers and other professionals.

Understands the importance of safeguarding and confidentiality.

Can remain calm and consistent when supporting challenging situations.

Is enthusiastic about developing a longer-term career within education.

An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one, will be required.

Alongside the satisfaction of helping children overcome barriers to learning, this role offers valuable opportunities for professional growth.

You'll benefit from

£95-£105 per day.

A full-time, long-term position in Liverpool.

An immediate start for the successful candidate.

Valuable experience within an inclusive educational setting.

Exposure to a broad range of SEND needs and support strategies.

Opportunities to learn from experienced teachers, SENCOs and other education professionals.

Practical experience supporting EHCP targets and individual learning plans.

The opportunity to strengthen your classroom management and communication skills.

Experience that could support applications for more specialist or senior education positions.

A strong foundation for further professional development and training.

The most rewarding careers are often built through experience.

You might start by supporting one child with their learning, but over time you'll develop a much wider understanding of education, child development, inclusion and the specialist approaches that help young people succeed.

You'll learn to recognise progress that isn't always measured by academic results.

You'll discover how small changes to communication, routines or learning activities can transform a pupil's confidence.

And you'll build the professional skills, experience and knowledge that can help shape the next stage of your career.

Whether your ambition is to become a specialist SEND practitioner, HLTA, teacher, behaviour-support professional or pursue another career within education, this opportunity could be an important step forward.

Ready to develop your career in SEND education?

If you're looking for a full-time SEND Teaching Assistant position in Liverpool, can start ASAP, and want a role where you can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV and take the next step towards building your career in specialist education.

Special Needs Teaching Assistant

Key information