Longsight, South-East Manchester

Position: SEN Teaching Assistant
Location: Longsight, South-East Manchester
Contract Type: Full-Time, Term Time Only
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Salary: £85 – £100 per day (dependent on experience and training)
Start Date: ASAP / Next Academic Term

About the School

This inclusive and community-centred primary school in Longsight, South-East Manchester is seeking a caring and committed SEN Teaching Assistant to join its established support team. The school serves a vibrant and culturally diverse community and is proud of its strong relationships with families, its inclusive ethos, and its commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and able to succeed.

The school places a high priority on meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Inclusion is embedded throughout school life, and staff work collaboratively to ensure that pupils with additional needs are supported academically, emotionally, and socially. The leadership team is proactive, approachable, and passionate about developing staff and maintaining high standards of care and support.

SEN provision within the school is well organised and carefully planned. The SENCO works closely with teaching assistants, teachers, and external professionals to ensure pupils receive timely interventions and consistent support. The school benefits from strong partnerships with speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, and local authority services, ensuring a holistic approach to pupil wellbeing and progress.

The Role

The SEN Teaching Assistant will support pupils across Early Years, Key Stage 1, or Key Stage 2, depending on school needs and your experience. Pupils supported in this role may present with a wide range of needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, speech and language difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), sensory processing challenges, anxiety, and moderate learning difficulties.

You may be required to work on a 1:1 basis with a pupil who has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or you may support small groups as part of targeted intervention programmes. The role involves working closely with class teachers and the SENCO to implement personalised strategies that enable pupils to access learning, regulate emotions, and develop independence.

This position requires a calm, patient, and resilient approach. Many of the pupils you support may need additional reassurance, structure, and consistency throughout the school day. You will play a key role in helping pupils build confidence, develop communication skills, and feel a sense of belonging within the school community.

Key Responsibilities

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing tailored support for pupils with SEN on a 1:1 or small-group basis

• Supporting pupils to engage with classroom learning activities

• Assisting with literacy, numeracy, phonics, and early learning tasks

• Implementing strategies outlined in EHCPs, IEPs, and behaviour plans

• Supporting emotional regulation and promoting positive behaviour

• Using de-escalation techniques and consistent behaviour strategies

• Supporting communication, language, and social interaction

• Encouraging independence, confidence, and resilience

• Supporting pupils during transitions between lessons and activities

• Assisting with playtimes and lunchtimes where required

• Working closely with teachers, SENCO, and pastoral staff

• Recording observations and monitoring pupil progress

• Contributing to SEN reviews and progress meetings

• Maintaining a calm, safe, and inclusive learning environment

• Adhering to safeguarding, confidentiality, and school policies

The Ideal Candidate

The school is looking for an SEN Teaching Assistant who can demonstrate:

• Experience supporting children with SEN in schools or similar settings

• A nurturing, patient, and empathetic approach

• Confidence in managing behaviour and emotional needs

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• The ability to build trusting relationships with pupils

• Flexibility and adaptability in a busy school environment

• A proactive and reflective attitude

• A clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection

Experience working with autism, SEMH, or speech and language needs is highly desirable, but the school welcomes applicants with transferable experience from childcare, youth work, family support, or care settings.

Training and Ongoing Support

The school is committed to developing its staff and offers:

• Regular SEN-specific CPD and in-house training

• Support and mentoring from an experienced SENCO

• Opportunities to develop skills in behaviour support and inclusive practice

• Access to external training delivered by specialist services

• Clear guidance and ongoing feedback

This role is particularly well suited to individuals interested in long-term careers in education, SEN support, psychology, or social care.

What the School Offers

• A welcoming and inclusive school environment

• Supportive and approachable leadership

• Strong emphasis on staff wellbeing

• Well-structured SEN provision

• Collaborative and respectful staff culture

• Opportunities for long-term employment and progression

• The chance to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives

Safeguarding Statement

The school is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff share this responsibility. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and right-to-work checks in line with safer recruitment requirements.