Job Description

Primary Teaching Assistant - 1:1 SEND Support

Are you a calm, caring and experienced individual who wants to make a real difference in a child's life? This is a fulfilling opportunity to provide 1:1 support to a pupil with additional needs in a nurturing Whitehaven primary school. Whether your background is in education, care, health or social services, this role allows you to use your skills in a stable, rewarding setting where relationships truly matter.

The Role

In this long-term classroom-based role, you'll support one child with special educational needs, helping them feel safe, included and ready to learn. You'll work closely with teaching staff and SEND professionals to adapt learning tasks, support emotional regulation, and encourage communication. You'll be a consistent presence throughout the school day, helping the child develop academically and socially at their own pace.

This role is ideal for someone who:

Can offer gentle encouragement and clear boundaries Understands how to adapt to a child's individual needs Builds trusting relationships through patience and reliability Works collaboratively with teachers, parents and professionals Finds fulfilment in seeing small steps lead to big progress

The Ideal Candidate

This position suits someone with solid experience supporting children or vulnerable individuals. You might come from a background in care, mental health, support work or education. A Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable for this role, as is experience working with children with EHCPs, autism, or speech and language difficulties.

You'll be:

Compassionate and consistent in your approach Calm under pressure, with a nurturing presence Skilled at building rapport and maintaining routines Comfortable working 1:1 and adapting to changing needs

The School

This inclusive and community-focused primary school in Whitehaven prides itself on its strong team spirit and commitment to every child's wellbeing. Staff work collaboratively to create a calm and supportive environment where all pupils feel seen and valued. The school places particular emphasis on emotional development, communication and building trust--especially for pupils who need extra support.

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8.30am-3.30pm Term-time only Full-time (part-time may be considered for the right person)

The Benefits

Competitive pay Long-term role with the potential to become permanent Work in a stable, consistent classroom-based role Build specialist SEND experience in a mainstream setting

Be the person who helps a child feel safe and supported. Apply now.

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: Part-time, Temp to perm

Pay: Up to 16.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking Referral programme
Schedule:

Monday to Friday No weekends
Work Location: In person