Sen Teaching Assistant New

Are you looking for a role where the work you do each day genuinely matters?

Teaching Personnel is working closely with schools across Horsham and Crawley that are looking for caring, resilient and motivated teaching assistants to support children and young people with a range of additional needs.

We're particularly interested in hearing from people who have experience working with children, young people or adults in a support-based role. You don't necessarily need to have worked in a school before. What matters is that you're patient, reliable and able to build positive relationships with young people.

Our partner schools include specialist SEN settings, alternative provision and mainstream secondary schools. The students you support may have autism, severe learning difficulties (SLD), social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), mobility needs or other additional needs.

We're mainly recruiting for full-time teaching assistant roles, but we also regularly have opportunities for people looking for flexible work, including pre-booked and same-day supply cover.

Some of the strongest teaching assistants we work with haven't followed a traditional route into education.

We regularly see people from backgrounds such as:

• Psychology graduates who want practical experience working with children and young people before progressing into mental health, education or further study.

• Care and support workers who already understand how important patience, consistency, communication and dignity are when supporting someone with additional needs.

• Sports coaches and instructors who are confident managing groups, building relationships and motivating young people who may struggle in a traditional classroom.

• Youth workers and support workers who have experience helping young people manage emotions, behaviour and challenging situations.

• Graduates and early-career professionals looking for meaningful work where they can develop valuable experience.

• Experienced teaching assistants and SEN support staff looking for their next opportunity in a specialist or mainstream setting.

You may already have many of the skills schools are looking for without realising it.

The role can look different from school to school, but your focus will be on helping students feel safe, supported and able to engage with their education.

Depending on the setting and the needs of the students, you could be supporting pupils with learning activities, helping them manage their emotions, encouraging positive behaviour or providing more individualised support throughout the school day.

You may also:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with students and become a consistent source of support throughout their school day.

• Support students to regulate their emotions and manage behaviour, particularly during difficult or overwhelming situations.

• Work alongside teachers and other support staff to help students access lessons and take part in school life.

• Provide one-to-one or small-group support where students need additional help with learning, communication or engagement.

• Encourage independence and help students develop confidence in their own abilities.

• Support students with personal care, mobility or other practical needs where required by the school.

The aim isn't simply to help a student complete their work. It's about understanding what might be preventing them from engaging and helping them overcome those barriers.

Working in SEN education can be challenging, particularly when supporting students