Trainee Special Needs Teaching Assistant
Location: Lambeth, South London
Pay: £80/£90 per day (PAYE)
Salary is dependent on experience, training or qualifications. The minimum experience, training or qualifications required for this position can be found below.
Start date: As soon as available 

We are recruiting on behalf of an excellent Special Needs School based in Lambeth, a short 10 minute walk from Loughborough Junction station.  This is an all-through SEN school, meaning pupils ranging from Year 1 to Year 11 are on campus. We’re looking for either a Trainee Special Needs Teaching Assistant or someone with relevant experience to support pupils with autism, amongst other special educational needs.

The working environment here is one of outstanding support, team work, and a common goal in mind; providing a quality learning environment for their pupils. This school has excellent facilities designed to support SEND pupils, such as a sensory room, multi-purpose gym, and an outdoor space where pupils can do sports or even garden.

We are looking for a candidate who is passionate, has a great sense of humour, and an ethic to work as part of a team. Our client provides specialist training for those who are new to the sector including safeguarding, Team-teach, and specific training on autism. This school is ideal for those who are looking for an excellent school to kickstart your career, or a school where you can make a real difference, transferring relevant skills.

We’re passionate about making a positive impact in education. In partnership with this school, we are proud to launch our National Teaching Assistant Programme, designed to support those who want to start a Teaching Assistant career.

The Programme

Working alongside our client school, we will provide the successful Trainee Teaching Assistant with high quality training and paid on the job experience.

Following a successful interview and pending suitability, safeguarding and identity checks, we will work to secure you a paid placement in a school to further develop your skills. You will be supported from a dedicated consultant.

Prior to starting your placement, you will be required to complete a training programme delivered by Smart Teachers and school leaders, which will give you the essential skills you need to work as a Teaching Assistant.

The Role

The role of a Teaching Assistant is vital in the day-to-day running of schools. The best Teaching Assistants have excellent communication skills and are able to build positive relationships with pupils and staff, quickly and effectively.

You will be working with the class teacher to manage behaviour, support with interventions, and provide additional support to children with autism of all ages.

To be considered for the National Teaching Assistant Programme, you will:

• Be compassionate, understanding and caring.
• Be able to build positive relationships with children and young people.
• Be passionate and driven about improving the outcomes for children and young people.
• Be flexible, proactive and a team player.
• Understand the crucial importance of keeping children and young people safe.
• Be able to demonstrate at interview the reasons why you want to start a career in education, and explain your understanding of the role of a Teaching Assistant and the important part they play in the school community.
• Be committed to completing the required training and participating in ongoing CPD.
• Be willing to pay for an enhanced DBS check and register with the Update Service.

Smart Teachers is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff we register will undertake thorough interviewing and referencing checks and hold, or be prepared to undergo, an Enhanced DBS check that must be registered on the Update Service.

Smart Teachers is a market-leading education recruitment and supply agency committed to the learning and development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high-quality primary, secondary and SEND teaching and support staff.  Smart Teachers do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

As a valued employee of Smart Teachers, you will receive:

• Excellent daily rates paid weekly by our in-house Payroll team using the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
• Guaranteed pay scheme (subject to availability and qualifying criteria).
• Pension contributions (subject to a qualifying period).
• Full compliance with AWR (Agency Workers’ Regulations), to make sure you get the pay and working conditions you are entitled to.
• FREE training to help with your professional development such as Team Teach training, online webinars and safeguarding and child protection updates.
• Generous refer a friend or colleague bonus scheme.
• Access to a dedicated consultant, who will provide ongoing support.

How to apply 
If you are an individual who’s keen to work within a Special Needs School, and would like the challenge of working in a demanding and rewarding environment, then we want to hear from you.

Apply today via this website, or for more information about the training programme please contact the SEN Team on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)

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