Job Description

SEND Teaching Assistant

Location: Shepperton, Surrey
Salary: £95 to £120 per day
Contract: Long-term, full-time (minimum one year)
Start: ASAP

About the role

We're recruiting a one-to-one teaching assistant for a long-term placement supporting a Year 1 pupil with autism at a primary school in Shepperton. This young boy has minimal speech and significant communication needs. You'll be his dedicated support, helping him access mainstream education, build confidence, and develop his communication skills alongside his peers.

As a one-to-one TA, you'll work intensively with this pupil, helping him participate in class learning, develop social connections, and find his way in mainstream school. You'll support his communication development, help him navigate the school day, and be the consistent, patient adult who truly understands his needs and celebrates his progress.

Your role as a one-to-one autism support teaching assistant will include:

• Providing consistent, patient one-to-one support throughout the school day
• Supporting communication development and finding alternative communication strategies
• Helping the pupil access mainstream classroom learning and activities
• Supporting his social and emotional development
• Building trusting relationships with the pupil and his family
• Working collaboratively with teachers and the SEND team
• Tracking progress and contributing to his education plan
• Advocating for the pupil's needs within mainstream settings

The work is deeply rewarding. You'll see this Year 1 pupil gradually build confidence, develop new ways to communicate, and find his place in mainstream education. Your patience, consistency, and genuine care will make a real, tangible difference to his life.

About you

You're someone who genuinely believes in the potential of autistic children and young people. You have real experience supporting pupils with autism and communication needs, genuine patience, and the ability to build deep, trusting relationships. You might be an experienced one-to-one TA, someone with autism support background, or a teaching assistant with a real passion for working with non-verbal or minimally-speaking children. You bring:

• Experience supporting pupils with autism
• Understanding of non-verbal and minimal-speech communication needs
• Genuine patience and calm presence
• Ability to build trust with pupils who find communication difficult
• Creativity in finding ways to communicate and connect
• Commitment to enabling mainstream education access
• Reliability and professionalism
• Genuine care for pupil wellbeing and progress

About the school

The primary school in Shepperton is a welcoming, inclusive mainstream school committed to enabling all pupils to succeed. The school has strong SEND support systems and values one-to-one TA placements that enable pupils with additional needs to access mainstream education. Staff are collaborative and supportive of the one-to-one team.

What we offer

• Long-term one-to-one teaching assistant placement (minimum one year) with a primary school in Shepperton
• Competitive daily rates for experienced one-to-one TA support
• Professional support and school integration
• Opportunity to make a real difference to a Year 1 pupil's education and development
• Access to a school that values one-to-one autism support
• Collaborative, supportive team environment