Specialist Support Assistant

North East Ambition; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's charity in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking Specialist Support Assistants to work within their school. The suitable candidates will have experience with SEN pupils experiencing complex needs. The role requires commitment and expertise, offering term-time hours and a salary of £25,309.44 per annum. Benefits include training opportunities, access to health resources, and a working environment aimed at improving student welfare.

Benefits

Death in service benefit

Employer assist programme

Teachers pension scheme

Meals provided while at work

Opportunities for training and qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience of working with pupils with complex needs.
• Understanding of special educational needs and disabilities.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.

Responsibilities

• Support SEN pupils in a specialist school environment.
• Work closely with teachers to implement learning plans.
• Provide emotional and practical support to students.

Skills

Experience with SEN pupils

Knowledge of SEMH, ASD, ADHD

Ability to work in a team

Education

Relevant training or qualifications

Job description

Overview

Talbot House Children's Charity are looking to recruit Specialist Support Assistants (SSAs) to work in our school.

The suitable applicants must have experience of working with SEN pupils with complex needs, including SEMH, ASD, ADHD, Trauma and attachment. We are a Non-Maintained Specialist School with pupils ranging from Reception to Key Stage 4. Class sizes are rarely bigger than 6 pupils.

Starting date is as soon as possible, pending your notice period.

Hours

Term time only, Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 4:00pm and 8:00am to 3:00pm on a Friday. Alternatively, we could offer the following hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm and 8:30am to 3:30pm on a Friday. A total of 39 hours per week, including paid lunch periods.

Salary

£25,309.44 per annum (this is the actual salary; you are paid 52 weeks of the year, it is not subject to a pro-rata calculation).

Working at the Charity you will

• receive death in service benefit, equal to 4 x basic salary.
• receive many additional benefits such as employer assist programme (EAP), GP and physio access and more.
• join the Teachers pension scheme.
• work in a bright and modern environment, with ample parking and grounds.
• be provided with meals while at work.
• be added to the DBS update service, paid for by the Charity.
• be offered opportunities to undertake training and gain qualifications relevant to the role.
• Paid membership to Blue Light and membership to Charity Workers Discount.

How to apply

To apply please fully complete our application form, using the personal specification to help you complete the "Personal Statement" section of the form. Applicants who read our Tips for Applicants document before completing this section of our application form are more likely to be offered an interview. You will find our Tips for Applicants document and Application Form attached above.

Please send your completed application form to: [e-mail]

Closing Date

Midnight: Sunday, 22 February 2026

Contacts and queries

If you have any queries regarding this position or the application process, please contact HR on 0191 229 0111 or email the HR Department at: [e-mail]

Note: The Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. Please see the Job Description and Personal Specification for full details.

Important application information

We can only accept a Charity Application Form for this role. We are not able to accept CVs for any role. If you submit a CV it will not be reviewed. Please view our Safer Recruitment Policy. Applicants should be aware that any relevant issues arising from their declarations and references will be addressed at interview.