Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Our 9-year old client flourishes in physical, sensory and social environments that are predictable, calm and based in nature. She loves to spin, bounce, swim, play at the park, look at books and watch shows on her interactive whiteboard.

T is autistic and has an acquired brain injury. She is a young girl with complex communication, interaction and sensory needs which are supported by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. She has lots of potential and has achieved a lot over the last few years with the right support.

T is educated at home and in the community (she does not attend school). We are looking for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant who can oversee agreed learning activities under the supervision of a qualified teacher to support in delivering T’s learning opportunities in the family home and in the community.

The Role/Client:

Our client lives with her parents, younger siblings and family pets which include a dog, a cat, 2 gerbils and several chickens (who live outside).

Our client is non-speaking but has established methods of communication that are alternative to speech including using a high-tech communication aid to express herself. She does not have any mobility issues but full personal care would be required in the role.

T can sometimes become dysregulated if her communication or sensory needs are misunderstood or if she feels unsafe. However, full training and support will be given to help you meet her regulation needs and enable her to feel calm, comfortable and safe.

There will be a multitude of training and development opportunities in this role that will support you to understand her communication, interaction and sensory needs

T very much enjoys physical activity including walks, swimming and being out in nature.

About You:

Applicants would have vast experience within SEN education, early years/nursery settings and be able to use a play-based learning approach. They would have experience with directly planning or augmenting lessons for children with SEN which may be in a previous role such as a nursery room leader, supervisor, manager, or as a teacher. This experience may have also been gained from working in alternative provisions, PRU’s or within a package of EOTAS.

T requires a personalised and sensory rich learning timetable so you must be willing to provide learning in a wide range of environments, such as the swimming pool or forest. You will need to be able to work collaboratively with, and implement, T’s integrated therapy and education specialists to set up learning environments which promote T’s play, interaction and emotional regulation.

You will be a caring, creative,friendly and playful individual who can make decisions in the moment where needed. You will have a good general standard of education (GCSE or equivalent) to support T’s learning experience.

You will be a driver with a UK licence, able to drive our client’s automatic Motability car to enable her to access the community. You will be a swimmer as this is one of T’s favourite activities.

The family has a friendly dog, a cat, two gerbils and chickens so you will be an animal lover with no allergies.

You will be a swimmer as this is one of T’s favourite activities.

**Pay: **Up to £25 per hour depending on experience

**Hours / Shifts available: **Term time only – 35 hours a week Mon to Friday – hours can be reasonably flexible. This includes 30 hours of direct support to T. The remaining 5 hours will be used to meet with T’s integrated therapy and education specialist and other members of the multi-disciplinary team and to provide indirect support as directed.

We encourage applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, race, beliefs, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity, disability and marital status, a criminal conviction may not necessarily prevent employment. Our posts require an enhanced DBS certificate and operate a non-smoking environment, at all times.