SEN Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge

Job Title:  SEN Teaching Assistant
Location:  Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.45am - 4.20pm
Salary:      £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Looking for a career where what you do really matters?

At Smallbrook School, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping them overcome challenges, build confidence and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you'll be much more than classroom support. You'll become a trusted role model, encouraging pupils to develop independence, celebrate every success and feel safe, valued and ready to learn. No two days are ever the same, but every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine impact. Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and a supportive multidisciplinary team, you'll help create a positive, inclusive learning environment where every pupil can thrive.

Whether you already have experience in specialist education or transferable skills from care, youth work or support work, we'll provide the training and support to help you build a rewarding career.

What you will be doing 

• Support pupils with SEND and additional needs on a one-to-one basis, in small groups and within the classroom.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences that help pupils achieve their individual goals.
• Encourage communication, confidence, independence and emotional wellbeing.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, supported and motivated to learn.
• Support classroom, outdoor learning and enrichment activities that develop life skills and independence.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and families to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.
• Promote positive behaviour while helping create a calm, nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

What you will bring

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about helping children and young people with SEND reach their full potential.
• Is caring, patient and resilient, with a positive and nurturing approach.
• Can build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, colleagues and families.
• Is a confident communicator and enjoys working as part of a supportive team.
• Is flexible, enthusiastic and eager to learn and develop.
• Has experience working with children or young people, or transferable skills from education, care, youth work or support work (desirable, but not essential).
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

If you're looking for a rewarding career where every day brings new opportunities to inspire, encourage and change lives, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

Smallbrook School is currently increasing capacity from 50 students to 80 and having a large investment in our school site developing KS2 and sixth form provision. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.

You will contribute to making Smallbrook School an outstanding provision for our young people and their families. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.

Our School is based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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