SEN Teaching Assistant – SEND School

Desian Education are proud to be working in partnership with a prestigious and highly regarded SEND school in Chester, supporting pupils aged 4–19 with a range of complex and profound additional needs.

Due to continued demand, the school are looking to appoint 10 experienced SEN Teaching Assistants to join their team on a full-time, long-term basis from 2nd November 2026.

For the right candidates, there is a genuine pathway from temporary to permanent employment, making this an excellent opportunity for experienced SEN professionals looking to secure a long-term position within a specialist setting.

Your new role:

The school predominantly supports pupils with a dual diagnosis of ASD and non-verbal communication needs, alongside a range of complex learning, communication and behavioural requirements.

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and specialist staff to provide highly personalised support, helping pupils to communicate, engage with learning and develop their independence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with complex SEN
• Supporting pupils with ASD and non-verbal communication needs
• Using Makaton and PECS to support communication and understanding
• Working collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists (SALT)
• Implementing individualised communication and learning strategies
• Supporting pupils with profound behavioural needs
• Implementing positive behaviour strategies and maintaining a consistent approach
• Developing trusting and meaningful relationships with pupils
• Supporting pupils to access learning and develop independence
• Assisting with intimate and personal care requirements where necessary
• Working closely with teachers, therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team
• Maintaining a calm, structured and nurturing environment

What you need to succeed:

Due to the complexity of the pupils’ needs, applicants must have relevant SEN experience within a classroom environment.

The successful candidates will ideally have experience supporting pupils with:

• ASD/ASC
• Non-verbal communication needs
• Complex or profound learning needs
• Significant behavioural needs
• Communication difficulties
• Personal care requirements
• Experience using Makaton and/or PECS is highly desirable, alongside experience working collaboratively with SALT or other specialist professionals.

You will also need to be:

• Patient, compassionate and resilient
• Confident managing challenging or complex behaviour
• Consistent in your approach to behaviour and communication
• Adaptable and able to respond to individual pupil needs
• A strong team player who can work collaboratively with teachers and specialist staff
• Committed to supporting pupils’ communication, independence and development

What you’ll get in return:

• Competitive rates of pay.
• A full-time, long-term contract.
• Full holiday entitlement.
• Company pension scheme.
• Free training and professional development.
• Dedicated support from an experienced Desian Education consultant.
• Access to exclusive teaching vacancies.
• Desian Education’s Refer a Friend scheme.