Job Description

Job Title: SEN Teaching Assistant (1:1 & 2:1 SEMH / Complex Behaviour Support)

Location: Preston & South Ribble, Lancashire (PR1 / PR2 / PR5)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Temporary-to-Permanent (Immediate & Term Starts Available)

Status: Qualified or Unqualified welcome to apply

Step Into a High-Impact 1:1 or 2:1 Classroom Support Role

Are you passionate about making an immediate difference for a child who struggles in a standard classroom? Do you have the patience, firm boundaries, and emotional resilience to help a dysregulated learner find calm and focus?

We are recruiting dedicated SEN Behaviour Support Assistants to provide targeted 1:1 and 2:1 pastoral support for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across primary and secondary settings in Preston.

Qualified and Unqualified candidates are equally encouraged to apply. Whether you hold a Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant qualification, or bring real-world transferable experience from youth work, care, sports coaching, psychology, or residential support, your ability to build trust and co-regulate complex behaviour is what matters most.

The Role: What is 1:1 and 2:1 EHCP Support?

  • 1:1 Support: Acting as the dedicated key support worker for a specific pupil whose EHCP identifies Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, ADHD, ASC (Autism), or Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

  • 2:1 Provision: Partnering with an experienced colleague to provide a high-nurture, dual-practitioner support framework for a student requiring heightened supervision, physical safety management, and co-regulation throughout the school day.

Core Responsibilities

  • De-Escalation & Co-Regulation: Recognise early behavioral triggers, anxiety spikes, and sensory overload; use low-arousal techniques to defuse crisis situations safely.

  • Curriculum Adaptation: Break down lesson tasks set by the class teacher into bite-sized, manageable chunks to build confidence and prevent task-avoidance behaviour.

  • Positive Re-Direction: Facilitate sensory breaks, gross-motor movement intervals, and calm-corner regulation strategies.

  • Restorative Support: Encourage positive social interactions with peers in the playground and classroom, fostering resilience and independence.

  • Pastoral Record Keeping: Monitor and log daily progress, emotional baselines, and behavioral incidents using school management systems (e.g., CPOMS).

Who We Are Looking For

  • Option A - Qualified: Level 2 or 3 TA qualification, HLTA, Early Years certification, or a relevant degree (Education, Psychology, Criminology, Childhood Studies).

  • Option B - Unqualified / Practical Experience: No formal TA papers needed if you have hands-on experience supporting young people-ideal backgrounds include:

    • Children's residential care (RSW) or adult social care

    • Youth work, community mentoring, or sports coaching

    • Special needs family caregiving / personal experience

  • Key Attributes: Grounded presence, non-defensive communication, consistency, and genuine empathy.

  • De-Escalation Training: Team-Teach, MAPA/CPI, or PRICE certificates are advantageous (accredited de-escalation training support provided).

  • Safeguarding: An Enhanced Child Workforce DBS on the DBS Update Service (or willingness to complete one).

What We Offer

  • Temp-to-Perm Pathway: A smooth 12-week agency transition offering an immediate trial with guaranteed conversion to a permanent school contract for the right candidate.

  • Dedicated Local Support: Local consultant support based in Lancashire, working alongside accredited Preston schools.

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