Early Years SEN Teaching Assistant

Are you passionate about early childhood development? Do you want to support children aged 2–5 with Autism, communication needs, and developmental delays as they begin their school journey? A specialist setting in Leeds is looking for two nurturing and proactive Early Years SEN Teaching Assistants to join their team.

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Early Years SEN Teaching Assistant, you’ll work closely with young children with additional needs, supporting them through play-based, sensory, and communication-focused learning. Your role will include:

• Providing tailored 1:1 and small group support for children with SEND
• Encouraging early milestones in speech, movement, social interaction, and play
• Supporting learning through sensory exploration, visuals, music, and structured routines
• Promoting emotional regulation, independence, and confidence
• Using PECS, Makaton, visual schedules, and communication boards (full training provided)
• Collaborating with class teachers, therapists, and SENCOs to deliver personalised learning

Who We’re Looking For

This role suits individuals from a variety of backgrounds, especially those who bring patience, creativity, and a passion for inclusive education. You could be:

• An experienced Early Years practitioner or Teaching Assistant
• A health, care, or childcare professional looking to move into a school setting
• A graduate in Psychology, Education, or Child Development
• Someone with lived or voluntary experience supporting children with SEND

You’ll need to be:

• Calm, caring, and resilient
• Confident supporting children with communication and sensory needs
• Willing to learn and work collaboratively in a team

About the School

This specialist setting offers a nurturing Early Years environment with:

• Purpose-built classrooms and sensory zones
• Outdoor learning and play spaces
• A holistic approach focused on communication, wellbeing, and child-led progress
• A skilled, supportive team that works closely together

Working Hours

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm (term time only)
• Full-time and part-time options available

Why Join Sense Education?

• Competitive pay
• Pathways into permanent roles, therapy, or teaching
• Long-term roles
• Supportive team and flexible working options

If you’re ready to begin a rewarding journey as an Early Years SEN Teaching Assistant, helping children build the confidence and skills to thrive—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.