Teaching Assistant (TA) - About the Role
Role Purpose
School of Outdoors is growing our Education Programmes team to deliver trauma-informed support to young people who aren't currently able to access mainstream education, in particular through our Reimagine Programme.
We're expanding the team now, ahead of need, so that we can respond quickly whenever a young person requires support rather than waiting to recruit once a referral comes in. This means we're bringing several people into the team at once, not filling a single post.
Who We're Looking For
You don't need to already hold Teaching Assistant status to apply for this role. What matters most to us is the right skills and personal qualities: patience, resilience, and a genuine ability to build trust with young people who've struggled to engage with mainstream education. If you have experience in youth work, SEND, pastoral care, coaching, or community settings, even without a formal TA background, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do
You'll work directly with young people, primarily through 1:1 sessions with some potential for small group work, building trust, re-engaging them with learning, and helping them move step by step through our five-stage pathway: Discover, Explore, Deepen, Broaden, and Thrive.
This isn't a classroom-based role. It's trauma-informed and relationship-led, using a PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy), shaped around each individual young person rather than a fixed curriculum. Sessions take place outdoors, in the community, and in practical or creative settings, wherever helps that young person re-engage. A full driving licence and access to a car are essential, as most sessions happen out in the community rather than on one site.
What Success Looks Like
- Young people building enough trust in you to start re-engaging with learning, often after previous placements haven't worked
- Steady, visible progress through the five Reimagine stages, at each individual's pace
- Sessions that flex to what a young person needs that day, rather than a fixed plan delivered regardless
- Strong, honest communication back to schools, carers, and the wider team on how each young person is progressing
Hours
This role is advertised as full-time (5 days/week), but we'd welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time hours (3 days/week) if you're the right fit. Please indicate your preference when applying.
