SEND Teaching Assistant


Company:	senploy
Salary:	£90 - £100
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	PENZANCE, CORNWALL
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	18 Aug 2026
Closing date:	13 Sept 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

SEN Education & Wellbeing Mentor - Progress Your Career

Location: Penzance, Cornwall

Contract: Full-Time | Permanent Opportunity Available

Are you looking for a position where you can support young people, develop specialist skills and create opportunities for your own career progression?

A specialist education provision in Penzance is looking for an enthusiastic SEN Education & Wellbeing Mentor to join its team.

You'll work directly with children and young people with additional needs, including Autism, ADHD, SEMH and communication or learning difficulties, helping them develop the confidence and skills they need to participate positively in education.

For someone considering a longer-term career in SEND, teaching, psychology, pastoral support, youth work or children's services, this is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience.

You'll be much more than an extra pair of hands in the classroom.

By getting to know individual pupils, you'll begin to understand what helps them feel comfortable, what motivates them and what can prevent them from engaging with learning.

You'll use that understanding to provide consistent support throughout the school day.

You could be:

- Working individually with a pupil who needs additional learning support

- Helping a small group participate in an activity

- Supporting a young person who is finding a situation overwhelming

- Encouraging positive communication and social interaction

- Helping pupils develop strategies for managing emotions

- Supporting positive behaviour through consistency and encouragement

- Building confidence in pupils who may have experienced difficulties in education

- Encouraging greater independence and responsibility

- Supporting practical, creative and enrichment activities

- Working alongside teachers and specialist colleagues to achieve individual pupil goals

Specialist education gives you exposure to skills and approaches that can be valuable across many careers working with children and young people.

As your experience grows, you'll develop your knowledge of:

- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

- Autism and neurodiversity

- ADHD

- SEMH

- Emotional regulation

- Positive behaviour support

- Safeguarding and pupil wellbeing

- Individualised learning

- Communication strategies

- Mentoring and relationship-based support

You'll be supported by experienced colleagues and have opportunities to continue learning as your confidence develops.

You might already know exactly where you want your career to go. You might have several different options you're considering.

Both are absolutely fine.

Experience as an SEN Education & Wellbeing Mentor could help you progress towards careers including:

- Senior SEND Support

- Higher Level Teaching Assistant

- Learning or Behaviour Mentor

- Pastoral Support

- Teaching

- SEN Teaching

- Youth Work

- Family Support

- Psychology or Educational Psychology

- Counselling and Therapy

- Social Work

The potential for a permanent opportunity also means there may be scope to continue developing within the provision as you gain experience and take on greater responsibility.

You don't necessarily need previous experience in exactly the same job.

Perhaps you've worked in a school already. Or your experience may come from care, residential support, youth work, mentoring, sports coaching, community services or another role supporting people.

We're looking for someone who:

- Has a genuine interest in supporting young people with additional needs

- Is patient and approachable

- Can build appropriate and trusting relationships

- Is resilient when situations become challenging

- Communicates clearly and positively

- Can adapt their approach to different pupils

- Wants to develop new skills

- Is comfortable working as part of a wider team

- Is dependable and takes responsibility seriously

You'll also need a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, alongside an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service or willingness to obtain one.

As pupils develop their confidence and independence, you'll have the opportunity to develop too.

You'll benefit from:

- Full-time, long-term experience

- Potential progression into a permanent position

- Ongoing training and professional development

- Practical SEND and SEMH experience

- Support from experienced specialist professionals

- Opportunities to broaden your responsibilities

- Transferable skills for future roles

- Valuable experience for further professional study or training

If you want a position where you'll learn, develop and make a visible difference, this could be an excellent next step.

Bring your patience, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. The specialist knowledge and experience can grow from there.

Apply today with your CV for this SEN Education & Wellbeing Mentor opportunity in Penzance and start building a career where your work has genuine purpose.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and appropriate safer recruitment procedures.

Apply for this job