Complex Needs Teacher
| Posting date: | 20 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 February 2026 |
| Location: | Kirkby Lonsdale |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 300993FAJ |
Summary
Get Paid for Five Days… but Only Work Four!*
Position: Complex Needs Teacher
Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2DZ
Salary: £39,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start Date: February 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
At Outcomes First Group, we believe life is about more than work. That’s why many of our schools are trialling a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW)—work one day less each week while keeping full pay. Now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG and put your wellbeing first.
About the Role
As a Complex Needs Teacher, you will be driven by a strong belief that every child can achieve and reach their full potential. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by delivering high-quality, inclusive education to pupils with complex and diverse needs within a nurturing and supportive environment. While experience in an SEN setting is desirable, we place equal value on excellent teaching practice, resilience, adaptability and a genuine commitment to supporting young people.
You will join a close-knit, collaborative team and play a key role in enhancing learning opportunities through responsive, innovative teaching. Experience of continuous provision and experiential learning approaches would be highly valued.
Working under the direction of the Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will carry out the professional duties of a teacher in line with school policies and the professional code of practice, fully embracing the ethos and values of the school.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Pupil Care & Welfare
Teaching & Learning
Assessment, Recording & Reporting
Strategic Direction and Development of the School
Behaviour Management
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
Qualified: UK QTS or equivalent, with a relevant degree
Compassionate & Resilient: Able to build trusting relationships with pupils who may have faced significant challenges
Collaborative: A clear communicator who thrives in a team environment
Creative & Flexible: You’ll need to adapt and innovate to meet individual needs
Full UK Driving Licence
About Heath Farm College
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.
Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.
At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care. Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.
For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits include:
Travel Allowance - up to £450.00 depending upon distance travelled
Life Assurance & Pension scheme
Mental health support, physical health checks, and wellbeing services
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) to choose perks that suit you
Cycle to Work & Electric Car Purchase Schemes
Birthday Chocolates & Gift Voucher at Christmas
Family Growth Support, including enhanced parental leave and fertility treatment support
4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay*
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Position: Complex Needs Teacher
Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2DZ
Salary: £39,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start Date: February 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
At Outcomes First Group, we believe life is about more than work. That’s why many of our schools are trialling a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW)—work one day less each week while keeping full pay. Now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG and put your wellbeing first.
About the Role
As a Complex Needs Teacher, you will be driven by a strong belief that every child can achieve and reach their full potential. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by delivering high-quality, inclusive education to pupils with complex and diverse needs within a nurturing and supportive environment. While experience in an SEN setting is desirable, we place equal value on excellent teaching practice, resilience, adaptability and a genuine commitment to supporting young people.
You will join a close-knit, collaborative team and play a key role in enhancing learning opportunities through responsive, innovative teaching. Experience of continuous provision and experiential learning approaches would be highly valued.
Working under the direction of the Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will carry out the professional duties of a teacher in line with school policies and the professional code of practice, fully embracing the ethos and values of the school.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Pupil Care & Welfare
Teaching & Learning
Assessment, Recording & Reporting
Strategic Direction and Development of the School
Behaviour Management
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
Qualified: UK QTS or equivalent, with a relevant degree
Compassionate & Resilient: Able to build trusting relationships with pupils who may have faced significant challenges
Collaborative: A clear communicator who thrives in a team environment
Creative & Flexible: You’ll need to adapt and innovate to meet individual needs
Full UK Driving Licence
About Heath Farm College
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.
Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.
At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care. Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.
For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits include:
Travel Allowance - up to £450.00 depending upon distance travelled
Life Assurance & Pension scheme
Mental health support, physical health checks, and wellbeing services
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) to choose perks that suit you
Cycle to Work & Electric Car Purchase Schemes
Birthday Chocolates & Gift Voucher at Christmas
Family Growth Support, including enhanced parental leave and fertility treatment support
4-Day Working Week: Work 80% of your hours, get 100% pay*
*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.