SEND Teaching Assistant
| Posting date: | 04 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £22,160.62 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 February 2026 |
| Location: | Trimdon |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 302709FAJ |
Summary
SEND Teaching Assistant – Trimdon Hill School, Durham
At Outcomes First Group, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy.
Location: Trimdon Hill School, Durham, TS29 6EY
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Rota: Monday: 8.30am–5.00pm | Tuesday: 8.30am–4.30pm | Wednesday: 8.30am–5.00pm | Thursday & Friday: 8.30am–4.00pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship.
Are you compassionate, energetic, and passionate about helping young people thrive? If so, Trimdon Hill School would love to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll help pupils feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. You will support pupils with their learning and engagement, encourage them to achieve personal and academic goals, promote positive behaviour and social-emotional development, and build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, families, and colleagues. You’ll also contribute to a safe, inclusive, and positive school environment.
Who We’re Looking For
Essential:
GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above, or ability to demonstrate equivalent skills
Strong spoken and written English
A genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs
A calm, compassionate, and proactive approach
Strong teamwork and communication skills
Desirable:
Experience in a school or SEN setting
Understanding of autism, SEMH, or trauma-informed practice
Willingness to learn and develop professionally
Application Guidance
As part of your application, please include a supporting statement addressing the following:
Tell us a little about yourself and why you are interested in this role.
Referring to the job description, explain why you consider yourself suitable for the post.
Highlight your relevant skills and experience, using examples where possible.
Explain how you would contribute to the role and the school if appointed.
We’re looking for applicants who bring enthusiasm, authenticity, and a proactive approach to supporting pupils.
About Us
Trimdon Hill School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, supporting pupils aged 4–11 with autism and associated complex needs. Opened in June 2025, we provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where every child is supported to SHINE. Our personalised, autism-informed curriculum develops communication, social interaction, and curiosity through rich, inclusive learning.
Working closely with families and clinical professionals, we support each child’s progress, independence, and readiness for the next stage of education.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided high-quality care and education to pupils, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading the sector in delivering innovative approaches that provide measurable outcomes for neurodivergent young people and young adults.
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 Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
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
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista:
Health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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At Outcomes First Group, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy.
Location: Trimdon Hill School, Durham, TS29 6EY
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Rota: Monday: 8.30am–5.00pm | Tuesday: 8.30am–4.30pm | Wednesday: 8.30am–5.00pm | Thursday & Friday: 8.30am–4.00pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship.
Are you compassionate, energetic, and passionate about helping young people thrive? If so, Trimdon Hill School would love to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll help pupils feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. You will support pupils with their learning and engagement, encourage them to achieve personal and academic goals, promote positive behaviour and social-emotional development, and build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, families, and colleagues. You’ll also contribute to a safe, inclusive, and positive school environment.
Who We’re Looking For
Essential:
GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above, or ability to demonstrate equivalent skills
Strong spoken and written English
A genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs
A calm, compassionate, and proactive approach
Strong teamwork and communication skills
Desirable:
Experience in a school or SEN setting
Understanding of autism, SEMH, or trauma-informed practice
Willingness to learn and develop professionally
Application Guidance
As part of your application, please include a supporting statement addressing the following:
Tell us a little about yourself and why you are interested in this role.
Referring to the job description, explain why you consider yourself suitable for the post.
Highlight your relevant skills and experience, using examples where possible.
Explain how you would contribute to the role and the school if appointed.
We’re looking for applicants who bring enthusiasm, authenticity, and a proactive approach to supporting pupils.
About Us
Trimdon Hill School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, supporting pupils aged 4–11 with autism and associated complex needs. Opened in June 2025, we provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where every child is supported to SHINE. Our personalised, autism-informed curriculum develops communication, social interaction, and curiosity through rich, inclusive learning.
Working closely with families and clinical professionals, we support each child’s progress, independence, and readiness for the next stage of education.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided high-quality care and education to pupils, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading the sector in delivering innovative approaches that provide measurable outcomes for neurodivergent young people and young adults.
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 Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
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
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista:
Health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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