SEN Teaching Assistant - Specialist Secondary Provision

Not every student fits into mainstream education — but with the right support, every student can succeed.

A specialist secondary SEN provision in Sunderland is looking to appoint a SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 11–16 with a range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs), and communication difficulties.

The school operates with a strong focus on structure, consistency and relationship-building, creating an environment where pupils feel safe, understood and ready to engage in learning. Staff play a vital role in helping pupils rebuild confidence in education and achieve meaningful progress.

Location: Sunderland
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm | Monday–Friday | Term Time Only

Daily Expectations & Routine

• Staff arrive at 8:30am to prepare for the day
• Pupils follow structured timetables with clear routines and expectations
• You will support across lessons, intervention sessions and structured social times
• Break and lunch times are fully supervised, with a focus on social development
• Pupils finish earlier in the afternoon, with staff remaining until 4:30pm for debriefs, planning and admin

Consistency is key — pupils thrive when staff are reliable, calm and present.

The Role

As a SEN Teaching Assistant, you will be expected to take an active and hands-on approach within the classroom.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils during lessons across a range of subjects
• Helping pupils stay engaged, focused and on task
• Managing behaviour using clear boundaries and de-escalation techniques
• Supporting emotional regulation and providing reassurance when needed
• Delivering targeted interventions and small group support
• Building strong, professional relationships with pupils

This is not a passive role — you will be expected to move around the classroom, interact consistently and support learning in real time.

The Pupils You Will Support

Pupils may present with:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• ADHD and attention difficulties
• SEMH needs, including anxiety and emotional regulation challenges
• Speech, language and communication needs
• Gaps in learning due to disrupted education

Class sizes are small, allowing for a high level of individualised support.

Experience Requirements

Experience is desirable but not essential.

The school welcomes candidates who:

• Have experience working with children or young people
• Have backgrounds in care, youth work or support roles
• Are graduates in psychology, education or similar fields
• Are confident, resilient and willing to learn

Candidates without direct school experience may be considered on a trainee basis, with ongoing support and development.

Behaviour & Expectations

• Clear and consistent boundaries are essential
• Low-level disruption is managed through positive reinforcement and redirection
• More serious incidents are handled through structured behaviour policies
• Staff are supported by senior leaders and behaviour teams

The environment is calm, structured and well-managed, with a strong focus on respect.

Dress Code

• Smart-casual, professional attire
• Comfortable footwear (you will be on your feet most of the day)
• Practical clothing suitable for an active role
• No overly formal wear required

What We Are Looking For

• Passion for working within the education system
• A genuine interest in supporting young people with additional needs
• Confidence in building strong, positive relationships
• Patience, resilience and a calm approach
• Willingness to learn and develop

What’s in It for You?

• Valuable experience within a specialist SEN setting
• Opportunities for progression into teaching or specialist roles
• A supportive and experienced staff team
• Weekly pay through PAYE

We do not use umbrella companies, meaning your pay is clear, fair and without hidden deductions.

Apply Now

If you are looking for a rewarding role where you can genuinely make a difference, apply now to find out more about this opportunity in Sunderland.

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.

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