Occupational Therapy Graduate - SEND Support Role (Primary Schools)

Just finished your Occupational Therapy degree and wondering what’s next?

If you’re looking for a role where you can build real experience, make a genuine difference, and get your foot in the door in education, this could be the perfect next step.

We’re looking for Occupational Therapy graduates to work in primary schools supporting children with additional needs. Think sensory support, emotional regulation, fine motor development, confidence-building, and helping children access learning in a way that works for them.

No two days are the same, but you’ll never feel like what you’re doing doesn’t matter.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting pupils with SEND (including autism, ADHD, SEMH, sensory needs and speech & language challenges)
• Helping children develop motor skills, coordination, and independence
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies
• Working 1:1 or in small groups in the classroom
• Collaborating with teachers, SENCOs and external professionals
• Creating calm routines and structured support plans for pupils who need it most

What we’re looking for:

• A degree in Occupational Therapy (or currently completing your final year)
• A calm, patient and encouraging approach
• A genuine interest in working with children and supporting SEND needs
• Confidence communicating with staff and building relationships with pupils
• Any experience with children (placement, voluntary work, mentoring, tutoring, care work) is a bonus

Why schools love OT graduates:

Because you understand sensory needs, movement breaks, emotional regulation, and the small adjustments that make a big difference in a child’s day. Schools need more of that energy.

What you’ll get with Protocol Education:

• Weekly pay through PAYE (no umbrella faff)
• Access to our FREE online CPD Academy
• A dedicated consultant who actually listens to what you want
• Opportunities in mainstream schools, SEND schools and specialist provisions
• Fast, smooth registration and consistent local work

Bonus question (because it matters):

Are you Thrive trained?

If not, we can get you onto Protocol Education’s FREE Thrive training, which looks brilliant on your CV and is a big win with primary schools looking for emotionally-aware support staff.

Apply today and we’ll get you booked into a school where your skills will be genuinely valued (not just used to cover a gap).

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

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