SEN Teaching Assistant

SEND Teaching Assistant - (Complex Needs & PMLD) - Newham, East Ham

About Refine Education

Refine Education is a founder-led education recruitment agency based in East London, specialising in Teaching Assistants, Supply Teachers, Cover Supervisors and SEND staff. We're open and honest about every role, we put safeguarding first, and we take the time to match the right person with the right pupil and school.

What does a SEND Teaching Assistant do?

In this role you'll provide dedicated, individual support to a single pupil in a secondary school who is non-verbal and has complex needs, including Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). You'll help the pupil communicate using non-verbal methods (such as Makaton, PECS, symbols, objects of reference or communication aids), support their sensory, physical and learning needs, and help them take part in school life as fully and independently as possible.

We want to be upfront: the pupils in this setting can sometimes lash out, and staff may occasionally be hit. This behaviour is usually a form of communication or a response to distress or sensory overload, and the school has behaviour support plans and strategies in place. You'll need to stay calm, consistent and resilient, and be comfortable working in this environment.

Do you need experience to become a SEND Teaching Assistant?

• Experience is welcome whether it's personal or professional. That might be caring for a family member with complex needs or disabilities, working in care, respite or residential settings, or supporting pupils in a SEN school or resource base. You'll receive the pupil's EHCP before you start, and schools will often provide specific training and a thorough handover. What matters most is patience, resilience, and the ability to build trust with a pupil who communicates without words.

Why work as a SEND Teaching Assistant?

Gain Deep, Specialist Experience

• Specialist SEND Skills: Working with a non-verbal pupil with PMLD gives you an in-depth understanding of complex needs, alternative communication, and sensory approaches - experience that stands out for SEND, therapy, or educational psychology career paths.

• Multi-Agency Working: You'll work closely with SENCOs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and families, gaining insight into the full support network around a young person.

• Meaningful Work: Supporting a pupil to communicate a choice, engage in an activity, or feel safe and settled makes a real difference every day.

Opportunity for Career Progression

• With experience, SEND Teaching Assistants often progress into HLTA or specialist SEND roles, or pursue further training in areas such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or educational psychology.

Experience, Training and Qualifications required for the SEND Teaching Assistant position:

• Personal or professional experience supporting a child, young person or adult with complex needs, PMLD, or non-verbal communication is desirable.

• The ability to stay calm and respond safely when a pupil becomes distressed or physical, including behaviour directed at staff.

• Relevant training (eg. Team Teach, Makaton, PECS, Intensive Interaction, or moving and handling) is an advantage.

• A patient, calm, and consistent approach, with the ability to read non-verbal cues and build trust over time.

• Strong communication skills to liaise with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, and families.

To be eligible for the SEND Teaching Assistant position through Refine Education you must:

• Hold Right to Work in the UK

• Hold an enhanced child barred list DBS certificate registered with the online update service or be willing to process a new application

• Provide two professional references

• A meeting or handover with the school prior to placement is standard practice for 1:1 / SEND roles, to ensure the right match for the pupil. You will also receive a copy of the pupil's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and be talked through their communication and behaviour support plans, so you know their needs and strategies from day one