Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire (DN22)
Hours: 10 Hours Per Week
Start Date: ASAP / TBC
Setting: 1:1 Home Tuition
About the Role
Study Mind is seeking an experienced and compassionate Specialist SEN Tutor to support a young person with complex additional needs through a highly personalised, relationship-led programme of home tuition.
This is not a traditional academic tutoring role. The successful tutor will use structured, sensory-informed learning to develop communication, independence and engagement through visual supports, play-based learning and consistent routines.
The role would suit someone with extensive experience supporting children with Autism, severe communication needs and complex learning disabilities, who understands the importance of patience, predictability and building trust over time.
About the Student
Our student is a non-verbal young person with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and significant learning needs who communicates using PECS, gestures, vocalisations and visual symbols.
He enjoys highly structured routines and responds well to familiar adults who understand his communication style. Sessions should focus on helping him engage through visual learning, sensory experiences and meaningful everyday activities.
He particularly enjoys:
- Books and picture books (especially Peppa Pig)
- Tablet activities
- Sensory play
- Matching and sorting activities
- Swimming
- Visual schedules and symbol systems
The Role Will Include:
- Delivering highly personalised 1:1 home tuition.
- Supporting communication through PECS, symbols and visual strategies.
- Delivering sensory-based learning using structured routines.
- Encouraging engagement through matching, sorting, sequencing and practical activities.
- Supporting independence and functional life skills where appropriate.
- Working within behaviour support plans and risk assessments.
- Creating a calm, low-arousal environment where the student feels safe and secure.
Ideal Tutor Experience
We're looking for someone with significant experience supporting children and young people with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Severe or complex learning difficulties
- Non-verbal communication
- PECS and total communication approaches
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- TEACCH methodology
- Intensive Interaction
- Behaviour that challenges
- Self-injurious behaviours
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Personal care and complex additional needs
Experience supporting children with neurological conditions or acquired developmental needs would be highly desirable.
Teaching Approach
The successful tutor will:
- Build trust through consistency and routine.
- Use visual timetables, symbols and "Now/Next" boards throughout sessions.
- Deliver highly structured, repetitive learning activities.
- Adapt teaching using sensory-based resources and preferred interests.
- Recognise behaviour as communication and respond calmly.
- Provide a predictable, low-demand learning environment.
- Work closely with parents and professionals to ensure consistency.
What We're Looking For
The ideal tutor will be:
- Experienced supporting learners with complex Autism.
- Confident using PECS and visual communication systems.
- Patient, calm and emotionally resilient.
- Comfortable supporting children with behaviours that challenge.
- Experienced in sensory-informed practice.
- Able to build strong relationships with both the student and family.
- Flexible and creative in adapting learning around the student's needs.
A male tutor is preferred for this placement, as this is the student's preference.
Tuition Details
Location:
Home tuition in Retford, Nottinghamshire (DN22).
Hours:
- 10 hours per week
- Flexible scheduling
- Afternoon sessions preferred (mornings should be avoided)
Start Date:
ASAP / TBC
Why Join Study Mind?
At Study Mind, we believe every child deserves an education tailored to the way they learn best. You'll receive ongoing support from our experienced SEN team while making a genuine difference to the life of a young person with complex additional needs.
If you're an experienced SEN practitioner who thrives on building meaningful relationships and supporting learners with complex Autism and communication needs, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: £30.00-£35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
