A specialist setting in South Shields is seeking a full-time SEN Teaching Assistant to support pupils with complex additional needs, including autism, communication difficulties, SEMH, trauma backgrounds and moderate to severe learning difficulties.

If you are calm, emotionally intelligent and genuinely motivated to work with children who need structure and stability, this could be an incredibly rewarding role.

The Type of Person They're Looking For

They are not looking for someone loud or overly authoritative. They are looking for someone steady.

You need to be:

• Emotionally resilient and unflappable
• Comfortable supporting children during dysregulation
• Consistent with routines and boundaries
• Patient with repetition and slow progress
• Confident supporting communication in different forms, including visual systems
• Open to feedback and ongoing specialist training

You must understand that behaviour is communication. Some pupils may test boundaries before they trust you. That is part of the process.

Experience is valued, but attitude and consistency matter more.

The Pupils You'll Be Supporting

• Ages 7-16
• All pupils have EHCPs
• Many have diagnoses of ASD, ADHD or SEMH
• Some have experienced significant trauma
• Reading ages vary significantly
• Communication levels range from verbal to limited speech

This is a structured, therapeutic environment designed to reduce anxiety and promote emotional regulation.

Daily Expectations & Routine

Morning Arrival (8:30am-9:00am)

You will support structured entry routines, emotional check-ins and regulation activities. Some pupils require time in low-stimulation spaces before beginning formal learning.

In-Class Support

You will:

• Work 1:1 or in small groups
• Support literacy and numeracy in highly differentiated lessons
• Reinforce behaviour expectations consistently
• Use visual timetables, now-and-next boards and communication prompts
• Support pupils through moments of frustration without escalating situations

You are expected to be active in lessons. This is not a background support role. You will move around the room, model language and provide live encouragement and correction.

Regulation & Sensory Support

Many pupils require:

• Movement breaks
• Sensory circuits
• Access to quiet regulation rooms
• Structured transitions between tasks

You will help implement these consistently.

Lunch & Unstructured Time

Lunch is supervised and structured. Staff eat alongside pupils and model positive social communication.

Unstructured time is often where dysregulation can occur, so you will be proactive in preventing escalation.

End of Day & Staff Time

Staff remain until 4:00pm - 4:30pm for:

• Debriefs
• Behaviour logs
• Safeguarding updates
• Planning support strategies

Consistency between staff is a key priority.

Experience & Pay Scale

Experience working within SEN, care, youth work or mental health support is desirable but not essential.

The school is open to strong candidates with transferable skills and may appoint on a trainee TA scale where appropriate.

Full mentoring and ongoing professional development are provided.

Overall Ethos

This is a therapeutic, relationship-driven setting with high expectations. Pupils are encouraged to achieve academically, but emotional regulation and stability come first.

The right candidate will be proactive, grounded and genuinely committed to long-term impact.

If you would like to make a meaningful difference in a specialist SEN environment, apply today or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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