Psychology Graduate SEN Teaching Assistant
Meet Our Recruiter
About the Role
Psychology Graduate SEN Teaching Assistant
Specialist Autism / ASC & Complex Needs School, Kingston Upon Thames
£90 – £95 per day (PAYE)
Full-time, Long-term to permanent contract, ASAP start
Some roles genuinely shape your career, and this is one of them.
If you're a Psychology graduate who wants real, meaningful experience with autistic children and young people, you’ll gain more here in one year than you will in five generic classroom roles.
This specialist school supports pupils with Autism, significant learning needs, sensory differences, and communication challenges. It’s calm, structured, and nurturing, the kind of environment where pupils thrive when the adults around them bring patience, curiosity, and consistency.
If you have personal SEN experience, time spent as an HCA, or you’ve supported a sibling or family member with additional needs, you’ll understand exactly why this work matters.
Why is this role so valuable?
You won’t be thrown in at the deep end.
You’ll work as part of a skilled, caring team where adults are calm, boundaries are clear, and pupils are supported through genuinely thoughtful practice. You’ll learn about Autism, sensory regulation, communication strategies, behaviour as communication, and trauma-informed approaches, all of which are gold dust for future careers in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, OT, SaLT, or SEN teaching.
Most importantly, you’ll see firsthand how small steps translate into life-changing progress.
What your days will look like
- Supporting autistic pupils with communication, sensory needs, and emotional regulation
- Helping to create predictable routines and low-arousal learning environments
- Working 1:1 or within a small, specialist class team
- Assisting with personal care and practical daily tasks
- Using your Psychology insight to understand behaviour, triggers, and engagement
- Working alongside teachers, therapists, and support staff
- Celebrating each small win, because they matter
This isn’t always easy, but it is deeply rewarding when you’re the right person for it.
Who would thrive here
- Psychology graduates who genuinely want specialist SEND experience
- HCAs with experience supporting children or adults with disabilities
- People with personal experience of Autism or neurodiversity
- Calm, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent individuals
- Those who value consistency, relationship-building, and patient progress
If you want to build a meaningful career in SEND, this environment will move you forward quickly and confidently.
Requirements
- Psychology degree (or closely related subject)
- Personal or professional SEN experience
- Comfortable with personal care
- Full-time availability (Monday–Friday)
- Resilience, warmth, and a genuine interest in SEND
- A collaborative approach and willingness to learn
Pay, contract, and our promise
- £90 – £95 per day (PAYE)
- No umbrella companies
- Ethical and transparent ways of working
- Ongoing CPD and long-term career support
Location
Kingston Upon Thames is easily reached from Surbiton, Chessington, Tolworth, New Malden, Epsom, Richmond, and surrounding areas.
If you’re a Psychology graduate or HCA ready for a role that actually develops your career, not just fills your time, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now or get in touch with Heeji Moon at Parker Smith Inclusion to discuss this further.