Complex Needs Teaching Assistant

Summary

A specialist school in Leeds is seeking a dedicated and empathetic Complex Needs Teaching Assistant with a September start. This is a long-term opportunity to work as part of a skilled, nurturing team that puts communication, connection and consistency at the centre of every day. If you’re calm, caring, and driven by purpose, this could be the role where your impact truly matters.

The Role

You’ll be supporting pupils with a broad range of complex needs, including Autism, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), and complex medical or physical needs. Your support will be essential to helping each child feel safe, regulated and ready to learn in a way that works for them.

Key responsibilities include:

Using communication systems such as PECS, Makaton, and visual timetables
Supporting pupils in sensory rooms and structured play sessions
Assisting in creative and confidence-building activities like swimming and outdoor learning
Helping pupils regulate emotions and engage in learning at their own pace
Providing consistent personal care, with sensitivity and dignity
Working closely with teachers, therapists and support staff to meet individual needs

Who You Are

You might already work in education or care—or be looking to transition your experience into a classroom environment. More than anything, you’ll bring empathy, patience and a willingness to learn. Ideally, you’ll have:

Experience supporting individuals with complex needs or disabilities (formal or informal)
A calm and resilient approach to challenges
A genuine interest in SEND and inclusive practice
A relevant qualification in care, health, support work or teaching assistance (desirable)

The School

This Leeds-based specialist school offers highly individualised support in a structured yet nurturing setting. With small class sizes and a strong team ethos, pupils are supported to feel safe, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Staff are known for their compassion, collaboration and commitment to inclusive education.

Working Hours

Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 3.15pm
Term time only
Full-time and part-time applications welcome

Why Apply?

Competitive pay
A consistent, purposeful role in a supportive team
Specialist training and opportunities to develop in SEND education
Long-term placement with potential for permanency
A chance to make a real difference every single day

If you’re ready to join a team where every interaction matters and every child is valued, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.

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