SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Pontefract, West Yorkshire

Pay: Competitive daily rate

Contract Type: Day-to-Day / Ad Hoc / Flexible Temporary

Start Date: September 2026

Are you an adaptable and compassionate educator dedicated to supporting children with additional needs? Do you excel at building quick rapport with young learners to help them feel secure, understood, and ready to engage? Are you seeking flexible, ad hoc work in education that allows you to manage your own weekly schedule starting this September?

If so, Randstad Education wants to hear from you. We are currently recruiting proactive SEN Teaching Assistants for flexible, day-to-day supply cover within a highly regarded specialist resource provision based in the Pontefract area.

They are an inclusive, warm, and highly supportive specialist resource provision attached to a mainstream setting, catering to pupils with complex learning difficulties, autism spectrum conditions (ASC), and communication needs. They pride themselves on providing a tailored, low-arousal environment where children can access specialised interventions while benefiting from integration into the wider school community. With dedicated therapy spaces, structured learning zones, and a collaborative team of educators, they offer a safe, happy environment where every child is supported to make meaningful progress at their own pace.

In this flexible cover role, you will step in on a day-to-day basis to support class teams and pupils during staff absences or planned cover. Your key duties will include:

• Assisting primary-aged pupils with their learning tasks, adapting delivery to align with their individual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets.

• Utilising communication aids-such as visual schedules, PECS, and Makaton-to support non-verbal or pre-verbal pupils.

• Guiding pupils through sensory movement breaks, quiet-space routines, and positive de-escalation strategies during periods of overwhelm.

• Working seamlessly alongside the lead teacher and permanent support staff to maintain a calm, structured, and safe classroom routine.

• Supporting children with life skills, social interactions on the playground, and seamless transitions between different tasks.

• The confidence to step into different classroom setups and quickly adapt to varying pupil routines and profiles.

• Prior experience supporting children with autism (ASC), global developmental delay, or complex needs in an educational or care setting.

• Practical knowledge of visual timetables, symbol support systems, or basic Makaton.

• A patient, calm, and resilient demeanor capable of understanding behaviour as a form of communication.

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with special educational needs (SEN) within the UK.

• Full eligibility to work in the UK (please note, visa sponsorship is not available for this role).

• An Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service, or a willingness to undergo a new check via Randstad.

When you partner with Randstad Education, you are supported by a global recruitment leader with a deeply personal, local approach. Benefits include:

• Complete control over your diary and availability to fit around your lifestyle.

• Free access to accredited professional development, including Team Teach positive behaviour support training.

• Earn £300 in Love2shop vouchers for every person you successfully refer to us (T&Cs apply).

• Guidance from a specialist, local SEND consultant to support your placement and career goals.

Apply now directly or contact the SEN team for further details:

📧 Email: [email removed]

📞 Call: [phone removed]

experience

Non Teaching

skills

building relationships

education

high school