Teaching Assistant – Complex Needs | Staines

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant with a strong background supporting children with ASD, SEND and complex needs?

We are recruiting a skilled and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join a supportive primary school in the Staines area. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who already understands specialist SEND practice and wants to make a meaningful difference to children who require individualised support.

The successful Teaching Assistant will be working with pupils with significant communication and interaction needs, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We are particularly interested in candidates who have PECS training and experience using TEACCH approaches.

The Teaching Assistant Role

As a Teaching Assistant in the Staines area, you will work closely with teachers, SEND professionals and other support staff to provide structured, consistent and individualised support.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting pupils with ASD, SEND and complex communication and interaction needs.

• Using PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to support pupils with their communication.

• Using TEACCH strategies to create structured, predictable learning experiences.

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support based around individual pupil needs and EHCP outcomes.

• Using visual resources, routines and communication strategies to increase pupils’ understanding and independence.

• Supporting pupils with their emotional regulation, social development and engagement with learning.

• Helping pupils access both specialist and mainstream learning opportunities where appropriate.

• Working collaboratively with teachers, SEND staff, speech and language professionals and other specialists.

• Maintaining a calm, safe and positive learning environment.

What We’re Looking For

For this Teaching Assistant position in Staines, previous SEND experience is essential.

You should have:

Essential:

• Previous experience working with children or young people with ASD and SEND.

• Experience supporting pupils with complex needs.

• A good understanding of autism and communication difficulties.

• Confidence supporting children who require a highly individualised approach.

• A patient, resilient and consistent approach to supporting pupils.

Highly desirable:

• PECS training and practical PECS experience.

• TEACCH training and experience implementing TEACCH strategies.

• Experience working within a specialist SEND provision, ARP, SEN unit or complex-needs environment.

• Experience supporting pupils with EHCPs.

• Knowledge of sensory and emotional-regulation strategies.

Why Take This Teaching Assistant Role?

This is an opportunity to join an established SEND environment in the Staines area where individualised support and inclusion are central to pupils’ education.

The provision supports primary-aged pupils with high communication and interaction needs and uses specialist interventions and structured approaches to help children access learning and develop greater independence.

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to use your existing ASD, PECS and TEACCH knowledge every day while working alongside experienced education and SEND professionals.

What SENDhelp Can Offer You

• Competitive PAYE pay with no hidden fees.

• A dedicated SEND recruitment consultant throughout your placement.

• Access to hundreds of free online training courses.

• Opportunities to develop your specialist SEND knowledge.

• Support throughout the registration, interview and placement process.

• Opportunities to build a long-term career supporting pupils with additional needs.

If you are an experienced Teaching Assistant looking for your next SEND opportunity in the Staines area, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today if you have strong ASD and SEND experience and are confident using PECS and TEACCH approaches to support children with complex needs.

As a specialist SEND recruiter, child safety and welfare is our number one priority. That is why we conduct thorough checks on all our candidates, and ensure that they abide by our Candidate Code of Conduct.

All Candidates will be required to provide an Enhanced DBS that is actively registered on the Update Service, or apply for one as part of the onboarding process. This is in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines. For further information please see our Safer Recruitment Policy.

SENDhelp is an equal opportunities employer.