Job Title: Teaching Assistant – Specialist SEN School
Location: Sunderland
Salary: £89–£108 per day
Contract: Full-time, Long-Term
Start Date: September 2025
Want to work somewhere that really gets the power of relationships in education?
We’re supporting a fantastic specialist setting in Sunderland that offers a fresh start to children with social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH) as well as autism and related conditions. It’s a school that focuses on the whole child, not just the curriculum-and they’re looking for a Teaching Assistant to join the team this September.
If you’re calm under pressure, firm but fair, and care deeply about helping young people feel safe and successful in school, you’ll fit right in.
Why this role might be a great fit for you:
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You’ll be joining a school that puts relationship-building at the heart of everything they do
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You’ll get to work closely with experienced educators and therapists in a joined-up team
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Your work will genuinely matter—every day is a fresh chance to help a child take a step forward
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You’ll learn loads, be challenged in all the right ways, and be part of something truly meaningful
What you’ll be doing:
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Supporting pupils aged 8–18 in small groups or 1:1 across a broad and balanced curriculum
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Helping children manage their emotions, build confidence, and develop positive routines
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Encouraging independence and learning through structure, patience, and creativity
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Collaborating with teaching staff, therapists, and the wider school community
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has experience working with children or young people with SEMH, autism, or related needs
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Understands the importance of consistency, boundaries, and nurture
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Brings empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills
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Is ready to muck in, learn on the job, and make a difference
Bonus points if you’ve worked in alternative provisions, PRUs, or specialist schools-or if you’re Thrive trained. Not yet Thrive certified? No problem. We’ll help you get there with free training through Protocol Education.
What you get with us:
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Weekly pay through PAYE—no umbrella company fees
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FREE access to our online CPD Academy
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Ongoing training and career development
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Personalised support from a dedicated SEND consultant
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Quick and simple registration
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Referral rewards for recommending friends
This is a role where your presence matters. Ready to take the next step? Apply today.
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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