Job Description

Early Years SEN Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start Available

Are you kind, patient, and passionate about helping young children with special educational needs (SEND) thrive?

Sense Education is working with a warm and welcoming

Early Years specialist setting

to recruit an

EYFS SEN Teaching Assistant

. This is a deeply rewarding opportunity to support children aged 2-5 in their first steps toward communication, emotional development, and independence.

About the Role

You'll join a close-knit Early Years team, supporting young children with a variety of needs, including

Autism

,

developmental delays

, and

sensory processing challenges

. Some children may present with behaviours that communicate distress--and you'll play a key role in helping them feel safe, understood, and supported.

Your day-to-day will include:

Supporting early communication using PECS,

Makaton

, and visual supports (training available) Helping children regulate emotions using sensory tools, routines, and nurturing relationships Assisting with personal care needs with dignity and compassion Collaborating with teachers, therapists, and other professionals to support

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

Supporting learning through play, exploration, and structured early years activities Helping to track children's developmental milestones using the

EYFS framework

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

Compassionate, calm, and emotionally resilient

Able to

respond to behaviour with understanding, not judgment

A natural team player who values

communication and collaboration

Proactive and eager to learn new strategies and approaches Experienced with (or open to learning about) SEND,

particularly in an Early Years or care setting

We welcome applications from:

Teaching Assistants or Nursery Practitioners Care workers and support staff with experience in SEND or early childhood development Psychology, Childhood Studies, or Health & Social Care graduates Parents or carers with lived experience supporting a child with SEND

Why This Role?

Make a real difference during the most important stage of child development Gain hands-on experience in a

highly supportive team environment

Receive

ongoing training

in Autism support, communication tools (like PECS & Makaton), and emotional regulation Be part of a school that truly values

every child's voice and every staff member's contribution

The School Setting

This purpose-built Early Years provision offers:

Sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces, and outdoor learning areas A child-led, inclusive curriculum A multi-disciplinary team approach that includes teachers, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists A culture of empathy, consistency, and growth

Hours & Start Date

Full-time:

Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Part-time applications are welcome

Start date:

Immediate (or as soon as you're available)

Apply Today

Apply now with your CV or get in touch to find out more about how this role could work for you.

Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temp to perm

Pay: 91.00-105.00 per day

Benefits:

Free parking On-site parking Transport links
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person