SEN Teaching Assistant

Posting date:	28 April 2026
Salary:	£100 to £150 per day
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	28 May 2026
Location:	LE5 6GJ
Remote working:	On-site only
Company:	Link3 Recruitment
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	LEISENTA-53237

Summary

SEN Teaching & Support Staff – Specialist Schools & SEN Units (Mainstream & Specialist Settings)
Leicester & Leicestershire
Full-Time | Long-Term | Permanent Opportunities Available
Immediate Start & September 2026 Roles

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people with additional needs?

We are currently recruiting experienced SEN professionals to work across a range of specialist SEN schools, resource bases, and SEN units within mainstream primary and secondary schools across Leicester and Leicestershire.

These settings support some of the most vulnerable learners, and we are looking for candidates with proven, hands-on experience supporting a range of complex needs.

The Role

You will be working with children and young people who present with a wide spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

• Supporting pupils with communication differences, sensory needs, and social interaction challenges
  
• Using structured routines, visual timetables, PECS, Makaton, and personalised strategies
  
• Creating calm, predictable environments to reduce anxiety and support engagement
  Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) Needs
  • Supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour linked to trauma, anxiety, or emotional regulation difficulties
    
  • Using de-escalation strategies, restorative approaches, and trauma-informed practice
    
  • Building trusting relationships to support emotional development and resilience
    Behavioural Needs
    • Working with pupils who may present with disruptive, dysregulated, or aggressive behaviours
      
    • Implementing consistent behaviour management strategies and individual behaviour plans
      
    • Supporting reintegration into learning and promoting positive behaviour change
      Complex & Additional Needs
      • Supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
        
      • Working with children with hearing impairments or sensory processing difficulties
        
      • Supporting pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties (MLD/SLD)
        
      • Delivering highly differentiated or personalised learning approaches
        

        School Settings You May Work In

        We are recruiting for a variety of specialist environments, including:

        Specialist SEN Schools
        • Highly structured environments supporting complex and profound needs
          
        • Small class sizes with high staffing ratios
          
        • Multi-disciplinary teams including therapists, SENCOs, and behaviour specialists
          SEN Units Within Mainstream Schools
          • Integrated provision within mainstream settings
            
          • Supporting pupils who require targeted intervention while accessing mainstream education
            
          • Working closely with class teachers to adapt curriculum delivery
            Mainstream Schools with High SEND Needs
            • Inclusive classrooms with significant SEN populations
              
            • Differentiated teaching and 1:1 or small group intervention support
              

              Who We Are Looking For

              We are seeking strong, experienced candidates who can demonstrate:

              • Proven experience working with children or young people with SEN (school, care, youth work, or specialist settings)
                
              • Confidence supporting vulnerable learners with complex needs
                
              • Strong behaviour management and de-escalation skills
                
              • Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
                
              • Ability to build trusting, consistent relationships with pupils
                
              • Resilience, patience, and emotional intelligence
                

                Ideal Candidates May Include

                • SEN Teaching Assistants / Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA)
                  
                • Behaviour Mentors or Pastoral Support Workers
                  
                • Youth Workers or Residential Care Workers
                  
                • Teaching Staff with SEN specialism (QTS desirable but not essential for support roles)
                  
                • Candidates from education, care, or therapeutic backgrounds
                  

                  What We Offer

                  • Long-term and permanent SEN opportunities available
                    
                  • Roles across specialist schools and mainstream SEN provisions
                    
                  • Immediate starts and September 2026 positions
                    
                  • Competitive rates of pay (PAYE available)
                    
                  • Dedicated SEN consultant support
                    
                  • Opportunities for training and professional development
                    
                  • Clear pathways into permanent school roles
                    

                    Why This Role Matters

                    This is not just a job—it is a chance to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children who require consistency, understanding, and specialist support to thrive.

                    Every day brings the opportunity to support emotional development, build confidence, and help pupils access learning in a way that works for them.

                    Apply Now

                    If you have solid SEN experience and are ready to work in rewarding, challenging and highly impactful environments, we want to hear from you.

                    Immediate and September opportunities are available – apply today to secure your place in specialist education settings across Leicester and Leicestershire.