Teaching Assistant (SEN Support)

Teaching Assistant (SEN Support) - Fixed Term / Immediate Start
St Laurence-in-Thanet Church of England Junior School

Are you a caring, patient and resilient person who wants to make a real difference to children’s lives?

We are looking for a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our supportive and nurturing team from September. This is an important role supporting children with additional and complex needs and we are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in Early Years, nursery settings, care roles or supporting children with additional needs.

At St Laurence, we believe every child should be seen, known and loved. The successful candidate will play a vital role in helping children feel safe, valued and able to flourish.

This post is for 31hrs 15min per week (8.30-3.30 each day - 15 min break/30 min lunch) term time only plus one week (39 weeks).

About the Role

Working alongside class teachers and our SEN team, you will support pupils both academically and pastorally. This will include:

• Providing support for children with special educational needs
• Supporting children with complex needs, including personal care and intimate care routines such as toileting and changing nappies
• Ensuring children’s personal care needs are met with dignity, compassion and respect
• Supporting children’s emotional regulation using our Thrive approach
• Helping children develop independence, confidence and positive relationships
• Supporting learning, behaviour and engagement within the classroom
• Working collaboratively with teachers, families and other professionals

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a warm, nurturing and caring approach
• Is comfortable providing intimate care and understands that this is an important part of supporting some children’s needs
• Has experience working with children or vulnerable individuals, such as in a nursery, care setting, healthcare role or family support role
• Is patient, calm and resilient when supporting children who may find situations challenging
• Builds strong relationships and celebrates every child’s progress
• Is flexible, practical and willing to be an active member of our team
• Is committed to inclusive practice and supporting children with additional needs

Experience of working in Early Years or Key Stage 1 would be particularly valuable, as would experience of supporting children with complex needs or managing behaviour.

About St Laurence

St Laurence is a welcoming Church of England junior school where relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is that every member of our community is seen, known and loved.

We are proud to be a Thrive school, recognising that children need to feel emotionally safe and understood in order to learn and flourish. We are looking for someone who shares our belief that nurturing relationships are key to helping children succeed.

We offer:

• A welcoming and supportive staff team
• A strong culture of care and inclusion
• Training and professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children who need additional support

If you are a caring professional who understands the importance of patience, dignity and compassion, we would love to hear from you.

St Laurence-in-Thanet is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to follow the relevant safeguarding procedures, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidance, and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.