SEND Teaching Assistant

Havering Education Services; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Essex is seeking a SEND Teaching Assistant to support students with special educational needs. This role involves working closely with children with diverse challenges, assisting with their learning, and collaborating with teachers and support staff. Candidates should have experience in communication with young pupils and be able to build effective relationships. This fixed-term position is set to continue until August 2026 and is a great opportunity to work in a caring environment focused on student success.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a teaching assistant or in similar roles.
• Ability to support children with special educational needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster relationships.

Responsibilities

• Support children with physical, sensory and social communication needs.
• Work closely with the class teacher and school team.
• Organise tasks and activities to aid pupil learning.

Skills

Experience with young pupils

Effective communication

Teamwork skills

Experience with SEN

Job description

St. Mary’s Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 3BS

Tel:[phone]

SEND Teaching Assistant

Hours:32.5 hours per week x 38 weeks per year, term time only. 8.30am - 11.30am/12.00pm - 3.30pm)

Salary: £21,652 per annum pro-rata (based on a full time salary of £28,617 p.a.)

Contract: Fixed Term until 31st August 2026 in the first instance

Start Date: February 2026

We are looking to appoint a Learning support assistant who is enthusiastic and patient. The role is predominantly working as a 1:1 Teaching Assistant within the school setting but some group work may be required. The role involves supporting children with physical, sensory and social communication needs. Experience of working with young children with a variety of special educational needs and knowledge when managing children with emotional regulation difficulties which can present as challenging behaviour.

Whilst you will be expected to work under the direction of the class teacher you will also have the ability to use your own initiative to organise tasks and activities; creating simple resources to support the pupil’s work as appropriate. You will work closely with the class teacher and school team as well as the school’s Local SEN lead and the Trust SENCO as well as working in partnership with external contacts to support for learning and development.

We are looking for a person who is calm, kind, patient and who:

• is cheerful, positive and enthusiastic about working with children
• is experienced in communicating with young pupils and those with learning difficulties
• is an effective communicator with pupils and staff
• is able to build and maintain effective relationships
• is committed to working as part of a team

At Upminster Infant School we pride ourselves on our kind, supportive and caring environment and we provide excellent opportunities for our staff to specialise in areas of SEN learning support. The position is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Please apply online. No CV’s will be accepted.

Closing date for applications: 19th January 2026

Interviews: week commencing 26th January 2026

Safeguarding

Havering Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our pupils from abuse is the responsibility of all staff within our schools, superseding any other considerations. Therefore Havering Schools comply with the Department for Education ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance.

It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to submit, prior to their interview, a self‑declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Upon submission of this information, online checks may be carried out.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; the successful applicant will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a position with the School.

Equal Opportunities

Havering Schools aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, religious or political affiliation and trade union activities. All matters related to employment are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

How to apply

To apply, please visit https://ats-haveringschools.jobsgopublic.com and submit your application by clicking the ‘Apply Online’ link below.