Autism Specialist Teaching Assistant

Autism Specialist Teaching Assistant Special School Setting - Primary & Secondary Autism & Complex Needs Newham, Plaistow Teaching Assistant (Autism Specialist) About the Role We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant with a specialism in Autism (ASC) to join our supportive and experienced team. This role involves working with secondary-aged students with Autism and complex needs, many of whom learn through a sensory-based curriculum. You will play a key part in helping students access learning, develop communication and independence skills, and engage positively with school life. The ideal candidate will be patient, adaptable, and confident in supporting young people with diverse needs. Key Responsibilities Provide tailored support to students with Autism and complex needs, ensuring their learning needs are met. Assist in delivering a sensory curriculum, adapting activities and environments to meet individual needs. Build positive, trusting relationships to promote emotional regulation and engagement. Use proactive and responsive strategies to de-escalate behaviour, including being confident and able to intervene physically when required, following the school’s behaviour support and safe handling policies. Support students with personal care, including hygiene, toileting, and feeding where necessary. Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and wider support teams to create consistent, safe, and nurturing learning environments. Maintain accurate records and contribute to planning and review meetings when appropriate. Person Specification Essential: Experience working with young people with Autism and/or complex needs. Understanding of sensory processing differences and sensory-based learning. Confidence in supporting behaviour, including willingness and ability to use physical intervention safely after training. Compassionate, resilient, and able to remain calm under pressure. Willingness to assist with personal care. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Desirable: Experience in a specialist or SEND setting. Training in Team Teach / PBM / CPI or other recognised behaviour-support frameworks. Knowledge of PECS, Makaton, or other communication systems. What We Offer A highly supportive and inclusive environment. Continuous professional development, including training in autism practice, sensory curriculum, and safe physical intervention. Opportunities to work closely with therapists and experienced SEND professionals. A rewarding role making a real difference to the lives of young people. If you're interested this role is starting in January so please get in touch ASAP too be set up for January 2026.

Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant Specialist School Settings ASAP start - April 2025 or September 2025 Are you a recent graduate looking for a rewarding role supporting young people with SEND in a specialist setting? A specialist school in Newham is looking for passionate Psychology Graduates who are looking to work with young people with SEND. The school caters to students with complex needs, with a high ASC percentage. Some students are non-verbal and some will require personal care, it is essential you are comfortable with personal care but training will be provided if needed. The school will offer multiple development and progression pathways to gaining HLTA qualifications, teacher training and communication specialism training. The school is searching for those looking to take their next step in SEN and provide the highest quality learning support to children and young people with SEND. The ideal Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant may be/have… Experience working with children and young adults with autism and severe learning difficulties. Open and inclusive attitude. Engaging and creative personality. Dedication to working with individuals with Special Educational Needs. Ambitious and hardworking. A degree in psychology/social science Comfortable with personal care (training provided) Why search with Parker Smith Inclusion? Confidential and transparent advice on your current job search. Ethical agency preferred by specialist settings. 300+ 5* Reviews Access to ‘hidden’ vacancies that are yet to be directly advertised. Support throughout the entire application and interview process. Ability to submit multiple applications at once. Access to experienced knowledge and advice of the SEN education industry and how best to crack your interview and land your dream role in SEN! This role would be well suited to a psychology graduate looking to pursue a career in clinical, educational or child psychology. If you are interested please apply today!

Respite Teacher (Independent School) January 2026 Start Position: Respite Teacher Curriculum Areas: English, Maths, Science, PSHE, Humanities, PE Location: Independent School (inner London) Contract: Full-time (details negotiable) About the School Parker Smith Inclusion are supporting an independent provision for young people aged 11 to 18 (KS3 through Sixth Form) who have been excluded from — or struggled to thrive in — mainstream education. This school believes in tailoring the education to the student, not forcing the student to fit the system. Strive to provide a fresh start for young people, offering a calm, nurturing and creative environment where they are met with understanding and respect, and supported in building toward a positive future. To support the diverse needs of their pupils, they offer flexible learning pathways (full-time, part-time, and blended learning) and small class sizes, ensuring each student receives personalised attention and support. Beyond academics, prioritise holistic development — social, emotional, and mental well-being — with an emphasis on personal and social growth embedded across our curriculum. The ethos is summed up in: “Every Young Life Matters.” Committed to giving every learner — regardless of background or previous difficulties — equal opportunities to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. About the Role They are seeking a resilient, compassionate, and adaptable Respite Teacher to join their team. In this role, you will deliver lessons across English, Maths, Science, PSHE, Humanities, and PE, while embedding personal and social development within every lesson. You will work with students who have experienced exclusion or significant challenges in mainstream settings. Although students may not be working toward formal qualifications, you will help them grow, learn, and build confidence. You will be supported by a small, dedicated team — including a Teaching Assistant and a Behaviour Mentor — to manage and support student learning and behaviour effectively. Your responsibilities will include: Delivering engaging lessons tailored to individual needs. Embedding social, emotional, and personal development into your teaching. Managing and de-escalating challenging behaviours with empathy, consistency, and professionalism. Building trusting relationships with students, offering stability, care, and positivity. Collaborating with support staff to create a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment. About You We are looking for someone who is: Experienced in managing challenging behaviours, ideally within SEND, alternative provision, or similar contexts. Patient, empathetic, and passionate about working with young people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion, or disruption in their education. Flexible and creative — able to adapt teaching methods and curriculum to meet individual emotional and learning needs. Committed to holistic education — supporting not only academic learning, but personal growth, wellbeing, and social development. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is desirable but not essential for the right candidate with strong experience in behavioural support and working with excluded or vulnerable students. Why Join Us? Be part of a small, dedicated team where your contribution genuinely matters and your work directly impacts young lives. Work within a supportive, flexible, and caring school ethos — where education adapts to the student, not the other way around. Help provide a second chance to young people who’ve been let down by mainstream education. Help build not just academic understanding, but confidence, wellbeing, and hope for the future If you believe you have the resilience, passion, and commitment to join us — and you’re ready to make a genuine difference — we would love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV or call on 0203 011 4848 asking for Elise @ Parker Smith Inclusion, elise.harnwell@psinclusion.co.uk

Respite Teacher (Independent School) January 2026 Start Position: Respite Teacher Curriculum Areas: English, Maths, Science, PSHE, Humanities, PE Location: Independent School (inner London) Contract: Full-time (details negotiable) About the School Parker Smith Inclusion are supporting an independent provision for young people aged 11 to 18 (KS3 through Sixth Form) who have been excluded from — or struggled to thrive in — mainstream education. This school believes in tailoring the education to the student, not forcing the student to fit the system. Strive to provide a fresh start for young people, offering a calm, nurturing and creative environment where they are met with understanding and respect, and supported in building toward a positive future. To support the diverse needs of their pupils, they offer flexible learning pathways (full-time, part-time, and blended learning) and small class sizes, ensuring each student receives personalised attention and support. Beyond academics, prioritise holistic development — social, emotional, and mental well-being — with an emphasis on personal and social growth embedded across our curriculum. The ethos is summed up in: “Every Young Life Matters.” Committed to giving every learner — regardless of background or previous difficulties — equal opportunities to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. About the Role They are seeking a resilient, compassionate, and adaptable Respite Teacher to join their team. In this role, you will deliver lessons across English, Maths, Science, PSHE, Humanities, and PE, while embedding personal and social development within every lesson. You will work with students who have experienced exclusion or significant challenges in mainstream settings. Although students may not be working toward formal qualifications, you will help them grow, learn, and build confidence. You will be supported by a small, dedicated team — including a Teaching Assistant and a Behaviour Mentor — to manage and support student learning and behaviour effectively. Your responsibilities will include: Delivering engaging lessons tailored to individual needs. Embedding social, emotional, and personal development into your teaching. Managing and de-escalating challenging behaviours with empathy, consistency, and professionalism. Building trusting relationships with students, offering stability, care, and positivity. Collaborating with support staff to create a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment. About You We are looking for someone who is: Experienced in managing challenging behaviours, ideally within SEND, alternative provision, or similar contexts. Patient, empathetic, and passionate about working with young people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion, or disruption in their education. Flexible and creative — able to adapt teaching methods and curriculum to meet individual emotional and learning needs. Committed to holistic education — supporting not only academic learning, but personal growth, wellbeing, and social development. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is desirable but not essential for the right candidate with strong experience in behavioural support and working with excluded or vulnerable students. Why Join Us? Be part of a small, dedicated team where your contribution genuinely matters and your work directly impacts young lives. Work within a supportive, flexible, and caring school ethos — where education adapts to the student, not the other way around. Help provide a second chance to young people who’ve been let down by mainstream education. Help build not just academic understanding, but confidence, wellbeing, and hope for the future If you believe you have the resilience, passion, and commitment to join us — and you’re ready to make a genuine difference — we would love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV or call on 0203 011 4848 asking for Elise @ Parker Smith Inclusion, elise.harnwell@psinclusion.co.uk