Teaching Assistant (SEN)

Bridge the Gap: Psychology Graduate to Clinical Practitioner

Location: Chaldon & Caterham, Surrey

Salary: £24,139 - £25,819 (Actual) + £1,000 Welcome Bonus

Contract: Permanent, Term-Time Only

Are you a Psychology Graduate eager to move beyond the textbook and into the field? If you view neurodivergent "behaviours" as a sophisticated form of communication rather than a challenge to be managed, we want to meet you.

Our specialist secondary school in Chaldon is entering its second year of operation. We are looking for a Founding Intervention Lead (TA) to join our multidisciplinary team. This is a rare chance to help build a therapeutic culture from the ground up, providing the high-level clinical evidence needed for future Doctorate (DEdPsy/DClinPsy) applications.

The Clinical Advantage

This isn't a traditional "general" TA role. It is a structured immersion into Educational and Clinical Psychology principles. You will benefit from:

• Therapeutic Integration: Direct collaboration with our supernumerary clinical team to deliver holistic, child-centred interventions.
• Action Research: Use your academic training to observe, track, and analyse social communication patterns and emotional regulation triggers.
• Bespoke Professional Development: Gain mastery in sensory-integration techniques and positive behaviour support (PBS) within a brand-new, purpose-built environment.

Your Impact

As part of our founding cohort, you will be the bridge between a student's internal experience and their external success. Your responsibilities include:

1. Translating Theory: Applying your knowledge of neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, SPD) to de-escalate crisis and foster self-regulation.
2. Strategic Support: Contributing to individualised learning plans by providing data-driven feedback on student progress and wellbeing.
3. Empowerment: Moving students toward autonomy by teaching them to navigate a world not always designed for their sensory needs.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a practitioner who possesses a "scientist-practitioner" mindset-someone who is naturally curious, highly analytical, and deeply empathetic.

• Education: A strong degree in Psychology or a Social Science discipline.
• Experience: Proven experience supporting neurodivergent individuals (this could be in education, healthcare, or specialist care).
• Resilience: The emotional intelligence to remain a "calm harbor" during a student's most dysregulated moments.

Schedule & Location

• Base: Chaldon, Surrey (with occasional shifts at our Caterham site).
• Hours: 40 hours per week (8:15 am start; varied finish between 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm).
• Term Time Only: Enjoy the balance of school holidays.

"This is the 'Year Zero' opportunity. You aren't just filling a vacancy; you are helping to define the therapeutic legacy of this school."