SEND Teaching Assistant

Make a Difference Every Day

Are you passionate about helping children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reach their full potential? Do you want to be part of an inclusive, nurturing school community where every small step forward is celebrated?

At Co-op Academy Brierley, we are looking for an enthusiastic, empathetic, and dedicated SEND Teaching Assistant to join our compassionate team. In this role, you won't just be assisting in a classroom, you will be an essential advocate, mentor, and guide, helping our young people navigate their learning and personal growth in a safe, creative, and supportive environment.

Why Join Co-op Academy Brierley?

1. Comprehensive Training & Professional Development: We are committed to your growth. You will receive fully funded training in specialist strategies, including Team Teach (de-escalation & physical intervention), Moving & Handling, GDPR, Safeguarding, PREVENT, and NHS-delegated medical interventions.

2. A Supportive, Collaborative Team: Work side-by-side with experienced teachers, senior staff, and NHS healthcare professionals who share a passion for pupil wellbeing and success.

3. Co-operative Values: As part of the Co-op Academies Trust, we put people first. Our values of self-help, self-responsibility, equality, equity, and solidarity run through everything we do.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, no two days are the same. Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Direct Pupil Support: Providing 1:1 and small-group support to enable pupils with diverse needs (learning, communication, physical, sensory, or behavioural) to access a rich, adapted curriculum.

2. Holistic & Healthcare Care: Assisting with personal care, hygiene, feeding, mobility, and NHS care plans, ensuring pupils feel comfortable, safe, and dignified throughout the day.

3. Positive Behaviour Support: Utilizing proactive de-escalation strategies and Behaviour Support Plans to encourage positive interaction, social skills, and self-esteem.

4. Creating a Purposeful Environment: Preparing adapted learning tools and specialist sensory or mobility equipment.

5. Tracking Growth: Using tools like Evidence for Learning to record, assess, and celebrate pupil progress alongside teachers and carers.

6. Unlocking Lunchtime & Beyond: Supporting pupils during lunch, break times, trips, and extra-curricular activities to foster social confidence and independence.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, resilience, and adaptability to the classroom:

1. Patient & Empathetic: A genuine commitment to improving the lives and education of children with complex needs.

2. Proactive Communicator: Ability to build trust quickly with pupils, colleagues, and parents/carers.

3. Adaptable & Team-Oriented: Ready to step in wherever needed—from classroom activities to physical de-escalation or medical care.

4. Eager to Learn: Willingness to undertake ongoing specialist training provided by the school and NHS partners.

(Previous experience in a SEND setting, working with EAL pupils, or supporting specific curriculum areas is advantageous, but a positive mindset and dedication to child welfare are most vital.)

Download the SEND TA Candidate Pack attached to the advert for further details about the role and our school culture.

How to Apply

Ready to make a real difference in our pupils' lives? Click Apply Now to complete your application.

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles, and the Ways of Being Co-op.

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.