Specialist SEND Teaching Assistant - Full Time, Plymouth

Teaching Assistant

• Annual Salary: From £95 per day
• Location: Plymouth
• Job Type: Temporary (01/06/2026 - 22/07/2026)
• Working Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm Monday-Thursday, Friday until midday

We are seeking a calm, resilient, and adaptable Teaching Assistant to support a pupil with emotional regulation and demand avoidance needs within a primary school setting in Plymouth. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on a pupil's educational experience by providing tailored support and understanding.

Day-to-Day of the Role:

• Provide one-to-one support for the pupil, responding quickly to their changing emotional needs.
• Use low-demand, non-confrontational approaches to encourage engagement and compliance with classroom activities.
• Adapt communication styles throughout the day, from calm reassurance to positive enthusiasm, depending on the pupil's emotional state.
• Support the pupil through challenging transitions, especially from preferred or free-choice activities back into structured learning tasks.
• Employ visual supports such as visual timetables to aid understanding and adherence to classroom routines.
• Balance focused individual support with wider classroom assistance, ensuring the learning needs of the entire class are met.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, patient, and resilient in unpredictable situations.
• Experience or a strong interest in PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) informed practices.
• Skilled in managing emotional regulation and adapting teaching approaches to meet the needs of pupils.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team within a dynamic classroom environment.
• Experience in educational settings, particularly in supporting pupils with additional needs, is highly advantageous.

Benefits:

• Competitive daily rate starting at £95.
• Supportive and inclusive working environment.
• On-site car parking available.
• Opportunity to contribute significantly to the personal and educational development of pupils.

How to Apply:

To apply for this Teaching Assistant position, please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in supporting pupils with additional needs. Further information about the pupil will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

This role is not open to overseas sponsorship.