Location: Wigan
Salary: £22,000 - £27,500 depending on experience and qualifications
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: December 2026
About Northridge
Founded in 2020, Northridge has grown from a single children’s home into a trusted multi-service provider across Lancashire and the Northwest.
Our mission is to improve outcomes for children and young people through high-quality care, education and specialist support. Everything we do is centred around creating safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive and reach their full potential.
As we continue to grow, we are investing in specialist education provision that brings together education, therapy and care to support the complex needs of the young people we work with.
Join Us at the Start of Something New
This is an exciting opportunity to join our founding staff team and help shape a nurturing, inclusive and highly personalised learning environment for young people with additional needs.
Our new school in Wigan will support up to 40 students aged 11–17, with small class sizes designed to provide individualised support and meaningful educational outcomes.
Through an integrated approach combining education, therapy and care, we aim to help every student rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and achieve their full potential.
As a Teaching Assistant, you will play an important role in bringing this vision to life and helping shape the culture and ethos of the school from day one.
About the Role
Working closely with teachers and the wider education team, you will support pupils both in and outside the classroom, helping them engage with learning, develop their independence and achieve their individual goals.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting teachers with the planning and delivery of engaging learning activities.
- Understanding and supporting individual pupil targets and learning objectives.
- Adapting activities, tasks and resources to meet individual needs.
- Supporting pupils with a range of additional needs and abilities.
- Using appropriate communication strategies, visual supports and approaches such as TEACCH.
- Creating a calm, organised and stimulating environment for learning.
- Supporting small-group activities and interventions.
- Promoting independence, confidence, social skills and positive engagement.
- Using positive and proactive strategies to support behaviour and wellbeing.
- Observing and recording pupil progress and providing feedback to teachers.
- Contributing to assessment and evidence of learning.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, families and relevant professionals.
- Following individual wellbeing and medical care plans where required.
- Taking part in training and professional development.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is passionate, patient and committed to making a genuine difference to young people's lives.
You will be:
- Able to build positive and trusting relationships with young people.
- Confident adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
- Positive and proactive when supporting behaviour.
- Able to encourage independence and celebrate progress.
- A strong communicator and team player.
- Organised, reliable and willing to use your initiative.
- Committed to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
- Keen to learn and develop within specialist SEND education.
Experience working with children or young people with SEND, autism, complex needs, behavioural needs or communication difficulties would be highly beneficial.
Working Hours & CPD
Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:00pm.
There may be occasions where additional hours are required to support operational needs, including administration, preparation, staff catch-ups, training and CPD sessions. On occasion, this may require working up to 5:00pm.
Why Join Us?
Joining us means being part of something from the very beginning. You will have the opportunity to:
- Help shape a brand-new specialist SEND school.
- Make a meaningful difference to young people's lives.
- Build strong, lasting relationships with pupils.
- Work alongside an integrated education, therapy and care team.
- Develop your SEND knowledge and professional skills.
- Access ongoing training and professional development.
- Contribute ideas and help shape how we support our pupils.
Should you have any questions about this role, please do not hesitate to email our internal recruiter Harshika – [email protected] or WhatsApp 07449251426.
Northridge Group implements safeguarding protocols in all aspects of their working practices and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and this may include social media checks.
!
Pay: Up to £27,500.00 per year
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
