SEN Teaching Assistant

Job Title: 1:1 Teaching Assistant – Autism Support Location: Haywards Heath Contract Type: Full-time, Term-time Only Hours: Monday to Friday Start Date: ASAP We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 support for a child with autism in a welcoming and inclusive primary school. This role involves not only offering specialised assistance to the child but also supporting the wider classroom environment to help create a positive learning experience for all students. Key Responsibilities: Provide tailored 1:1 support to a child with autism, helping them engage with lessons and manage transitions throughout the school day. Use a range of strategies to support the child's social, emotional, and sensory needs, ensuring they feel comfortable and secure in the classroom environment. Assist the class teacher in delivering lessons, breaking down instructions and tasks as needed to support the child’s understanding and participation. Encourage the development of communication and social interaction skills through structured activities and interventions. Help the child navigate unstructured times, such as playtime or group work, ensuring they remain engaged and supported. Contribute to the general classroom environment by providing support to other students and assisting the teacher as required. Maintain close communication with the class teacher, SENCO, and parents, providing updates on the child’s progress and well-being. Participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance your skills in working with children with autism and other special educational needs. Essential Skills and Experience: Proven experience working with children with autism in a school setting, with a solid understanding of autism-specific strategies and interventions. Patience, empathy, and a calm approach when managing challenging behavior or sensory overload. Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team and liaise with other professionals, parents, and caregivers. Experience using visual aids, social stories, or other autism-specific tools to support learning and communication. A proactive, flexible attitude, with the ability to adapt quickly to the child’s needs and respond to unexpected situations. A passion for helping children with special needs reach their full potential, both academically and socially. A DBS check registered on the update service or willingness to obtain one. If you are enthusiastic about supporting children with autism and have the skills and experience needed to make a real impact, we would love to hear from you! At Pink Tile, we are the preferred choice for candidates due to our specialist agents offering first-class service, a wide variety of education roles, and competitive rates of pay based on your experience. Whether you are an experienced Teaching Assistant or just starting your career, please get in touch using the contact details below so we can discuss your preferences and find the perfect role for you! Pink Tile Education, our schools, and our candidates all share the expectation of "Best Fit, Every Time," and our job is to ensure that every candidate we place has a positive impact on their new team. Important Notice: To be successful in applying for the above position, you should be eligible to work in the UK or hold a relevant work visa. Safeguarding, quality, and integrity are at the heart of what we do. During the application process, you will be required to: Provide details for us to complete reference checks. Provide an Enhanced DBS disclosure. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within education. As a matter of courtesy, we aim to respond to all applications within three working days. However, due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to individual inquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. We encourage you to apply for any other positions you may see in the future. Thank you