Teaching Assistant


Company:	senploy
Salary:	£95 to £105 a day
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	L34 0JN
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	11 Oct 2026
Closing date:	8 Nov 2026

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Summary

SEND Teaching Assistant - Creative Learning & Engagement

Location: Knowsley, Merseyside

Pay: £95-£105 per day

Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term

Start Date: ASAP

Some children thrive with structure and routine. Others need movement, creativity, practical activities or a completely different approach to understand something new.

For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, traditional classroom methods don't always provide the opportunities they need to succeed.

Sometimes learning needs to be visual. Sometimes it needs to be practical. Sometimes it involves getting out of a chair, exploring something hands-on or turning a difficult concept into an activity that makes sense.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable SEND Teaching Assistant to join a supportive educational setting in Knowsley, helping children and young people engage with learning in ways that work for them.

This is a full-time, long-term opportunity with an immediate start, ideal for someone who enjoys working creatively, building positive relationships and helping pupils discover their individual strengths.

You'll support children with a variety of additional needs, which may include:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) - supporting communication, sensory differences and individual learning preferences.

ADHD - helping pupils maintain engagement through structured, interactive and movement-based activities.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs - building trust, confidence and positive attitudes towards learning.

Moderate and Complex Learning Difficulties - adapting activities into manageable, achievable stages.

Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) - using visual resources, simplified language and alternative communication strategies.

Sensory Processing Differences - recognising how the learning environment can affect concentration, comfort and participation.

Your role will be to work alongside teachers to identify what helps individual pupils engage and develop their understanding.

For one pupil, this might involve using pictures and practical resources to explain a maths concept.

For another, it could mean incorporating movement breaks into their learning routine.

Someone else might benefit from sensory activities, structured games or additional encouragement to participate in group learning.

The important thing is recognising that there isn't one approach that works for everyone.

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you'll help create a learning environment where pupils feel encouraged, supported and capable of achieving.

Your responsibilities will include:

Providing one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEND.

Supporting teachers in delivering engaging and accessible lessons.

Adapting classroom activities to suit individual learning abilities.

Using practical, visual and sensory resources to reinforce learning.

Encouraging pupils to participate in classroom discussions and activities.

Supporting children who find traditional teaching methods challenging.

Helping pupils develop concentration, motivation and engagement.

Breaking complex instructions into smaller, achievable steps.

Supporting individual EHCP targets and personalised learning plans.

Delivering structured learning interventions under teacher guidance.

Encouraging communication, social interaction and positive relationships.

Supporting pupils with emotional regulation and classroom routines.

Using positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivation.

Helping pupils manage transitions between activities and environments.

Encouraging independence and problem-solving.

Observing pupil progress and identifying strategies that are working.

Sharing feedback with teachers, SENCOs and other professionals.

Supporting personal care or mobility needs where required.

You'll need to be comfortable adapting your approach throughout the school day, recognising when a pupil needs encouragement, additional explanation, a different resource or time to process information.

Being creative in SEND education isn't necessarily about preparing elaborate activities.

Often, it's about making small adjustments that create better opportunities for learning.

It could mean:

Turning a reading activity into an interactive game.

Using building blocks or practical objects to explain numbers.

Introducing visual prompts to help a pupil follow instructions.

Incorporating a child's interests into their learning activities.

Using movement to support attention and concentration.

Creating simple communication resources.

Helping pupils practise social skills through structured activities.

Finding alternative ways for children to demonstrate their understanding.

You'll work under the guidance of teaching staff, using agreed strategies while contributing ideas and observations that help pupils make progress.

The aim is to make education more accessible without lowering expectations of what pupils can achieve.

We're interested in people who enjoy working with children and have the enthusiasm to make learning engaging.

You might already have experience as a:

SEND Teaching Assistant • SEN TA • Learning Support Assistant • Classroom Assistant • Youth Worker • Sports Coach • Activity Leader • Behaviour Mentor • Children's Support Worker • Care Assistant

Experience from education, youth services, childcare, coaching, residential care or specialist support settings could all be relevant.

You don't necessarily need to have followed a traditional route into education, but previous experience working with children or young people would be valuable.

The successful candidate will:

Have experience supporting children or young people.

Be enthusiastic, approachable and encouraging.

Enjoy finding different ways to explain or demonstrate activities.

Be patient when pupils need additional time or support.

Understand that children learn at different rates.

Be willing to adapt activities around individual needs.

Have good communication and relationship-building skills.

Be confident supporting pupils with additional learning needs.

Remain calm and consistent when pupils become overwhelmed.

Understand the importance of routines and positive behaviour support.

Work collaboratively with teachers and support staff.

Be interested in developing their SEND knowledge.

Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and inclusion.

Previous experience supporting autism, ADHD, SEMH, communication difficulties or complex learning needs would be particularly beneficial.

An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one, will be required.

Working with pupils who have additional needs provides opportunities to develop a wide range of practical and professional skills.

You'll gain experience understanding how different children learn, how to adapt educational resources and how to support pupils who face barriers to accessing the curriculum.

This experience could be particularly valuable if you're considering future opportunities in:

Specialist SEND Support • Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) • Teaching • Behaviour Support • Pastoral Support • Inclusive Education • Child Development

You'll also have the opportunity to strengthen your confidence in classroom support, communication, individual learning strategies and working collaboratively with education professionals.

£95-£105 per day.

A full-time, long-term position in Knowsley.

Immediate/ASAP start.

Valuable experience supporting pupils with a range of additional needs.

Opportunities to develop creative and practical learning strategies.

Experience supporting personalised learning and EHCP targets.

The opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and SEND professionals.

Practical experience supporting communication, engagement and independence.

Opportunities to develop your understanding of autism, ADHD and SEMH.

Experience that could support future progression within education and specialist SEND roles.

One of the most rewarding parts of SEND education is finding an approach that finally works for a child.

A pupil who usually avoids reading becomes interested because the activity involves their favourite subject.

A child who struggles to concentrate completes a task because it's been broken into manageable stages.

Someone who rarely participates in group activities begins contributing because they feel confident and included.

These moments can change how children see themselves as learners.

And as a SEND Teaching Assistant, you'll have the opportunity to help create more of them.

If you're enthusiastic about supporting children with additional needs, enjoy bringing creativity into learning and are available to start ASAP, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV for this full-time SEND Teaching Assistant opportunity in Knowsley.

Apply for this job