Special Needs Support Worker
| Company: | Talent Finder |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £16,643.60 - £16,643.60 |
| Hours: | Part-time |
| Location: | SE5 0RN |
| Working pattern: | On-site |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 28 Jul 2026 |
| Closing date: | 27 Aug 2026 |
Summary
Special Needs Support Worker | London, SE5 | 30 Hours per Week (Term Time Only) | 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday across four working days| £16,643.60 per annum
Our client is seeking a Special Needs Support Worker to join their team. The purpose of the role is to provide one-to-one support for individual children with special needs who attend the centre.
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential for the right candidate to continue supporting other children with SEND needs within the setting.
The Role
As a Special Needs Support Worker, you will provide one-to-one support for an individual child with special needs, helping them access learning, develop independence and participate fully within the setting. You will work alongside the Early Education Manager, SENCO, parents/carers and other professionals to support the child’s social, emotional, physical and educational development.
This is a dedicated one-to-one role, where you will focus on meeting the individual needs of the child and supporting their development within the setting. The successful candidate will not be part of the general nursery staffing ratio.
Key Responsibilities
Supporting Learning and Development
• Support the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring the child can access learning across all prime and specific areas of learning, with particular focus on Physical Development
• Provide one-to-one support to meet the child’s individual needs, enabling them to participate fully in planned, purposeful play and child-initiated activities
• Promote progress in physical development, including gross motor skills such as mobility, coordination, balance and spatial awareness
• Support fine motor skills including hand strength, grip, early writing skills and tool use
• Assist with planning and delivering activities that support the child’s individual learning and development needs
• Promote and support the development of an innovative approach to children’s learning based on a Reggio Emilia model
• Work within government guidelines for the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the SEND Code of Practice
Individual Support and Care
• Support the child with daily routines, transitions and activities, providing appropriate physical support to promote safety, independence and emotional security
• Support personal care needs sensitively, promoting dignity, independence and self-care skills
• Work with the child following their care plan and exercise routines set out by physiotherapists and other professionals
• Complete relevant training relating to the child’s individual needs, including feeding, medication and safe movement
• Advocate for the child on a daily basis
• Support the child to make friends and be part of their peer group
SEND Support and Inclusion
• Create an enabling environment by adapting resources, layout and routines to support safe movement, accessibility and increasing independence
• Follow guidance from external professionals such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy to deliver consistent strategies within daily practice
• Work within the graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review) in collaboration with the SENCO to implement and evaluate individual support plans and targeted interventions
• Act as a key person, building a secure and trusting relationship to help the child feel safe, valued and confident to explore
• Observe, assess and record the child’s development in line with EYFS expectations, contributing to ongoing assessment and identifying next steps
• Promote inclusive practice, equality of opportunity and positive relationships, ensuring the child is fully included within the setting and supported regardless of background or ability
Working with Parents, Families and Professionals
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, SENCO and external professionals to ensure the child and family’s needs are met through coordinated support
• Follow advice and strategies provided by external specialists to support the child’s development and wellbeing
Safeguarding and Teamwork
• Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, equality and child protection policies and procedures
• Maintain a safe, caring and stimulating environment which meets children’s social, emotional and physical needs
• Work as part of a team to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment for all children
• Participate in induction, supervision, performance appraisal processes and meetings as required
• Undertake other duties that support the wider setting community and children and families served when requested by the line manager and SMT
Requirements
Essential
• Good standard of general education
• Ability to create enabling environments that support children with physical needs
• Experience or understanding of supporting early movement, coordination and fine motor development
• Strong skills in observation, assessment and planning for next steps in learning
• Ability to work collaboratively with the SENCO, parents/carers and external professionals
• Knowledge of the particular requirements of children with special needs in terms of their support, development and care planning
• Experience of working with parents and carers from a range of cultural backgrounds, encouraging full participation in their children’s play and learning opportunities
• Knowledge of the emotional, physical, psychological and educational development of children
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including writing reports and records
• Creative and innovative with ideas of how to respond and engage with the child
• Functional IT skills including word processing and nursery software
• An empathetic, patient and supportive approach with the ability to understand and respond to the individual needs of children with special needs
• Ability to establish a trusting relationship with a child who has special needs
• Responsive to change and ideas; able to adapt to new systems and flexible working patterns
• Willingness to undertake training
Desirable
• Level 2 qualification
• Experience of working with children under 5 years
• Understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach:
• A respectful image of children as competent and capable
• The child’s role in constructing knowledge through exploration and relationships
• The importance of the environment as an educational force
• Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and child protection issues
What’s In It For You
• Opportunity to support children with special needs within an early years setting
• Training relevant to the individual needs of the child, including physiotherapy support training
• Supervision and performance appraisal process
• Pension scheme with 6% employer match
• Access to discounts through the Blue Light Card
• Access to a GP app
• Level 3 and Level 5 Early Years qualification training opportunities
• £1 daily lunch
• 40% staff discount on a nursery place
• Life insurance cover up to 4 times annual salary
• Termly team-building socials up to £20
• 3 days paid dependants leave
What’s next? It’s easy! Click “APPLY” now! We can’t wait to hear from you!
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