About the Role
Zen Educate is seeking an experienced Specialist Teaching Assistant for a full-time, long-term role dedicated to supporting a small group of learners with complex needs. The majority of these students have identified Additional Learning Needs (ALN), high levels of anxiety, and backgrounds rooted in developmental trauma.
This isn't a standard classroom assistant role. You won't just be helping with worksheets; you will be building the psychological safety that allows these students to access education in the first place.
Key Responsibilities
- Build Secure Relationships: Establish strong, trusting, and consistent connections with anxious and traumatized learners.
- De-escalation & Regulation: Recognize early triggers and employ trauma-informed de-escalation techniques to help students co-regulate.
- ALN Support: Adapt and differentiate learning materials to meet individual ALN frameworks, working closely with the ALNCo.
- Create Safe Spaces: Foster a low-arousal, predictable environment where students feel safe to make mistakes.
- Collaborative Care: Work alongside teachers, therapists, and external agencies to implement individual education and behavior plans.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements)
- Proven Experience: A solid track record of supporting learners with ALN, severe anxiety, or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
- Trauma-Informed Practice: Deep understanding of how trauma impacts brain development, attachment, and learning (training in Trauma-Informed Schools, Team Teach, or Nurture Groups is highly desirable).
- Resilience & Emotional Intelligence: The ability to remain calm, grounded, and non-judgmental in high-stress situations.
- Commitment: This is a full-time, long-term position. These students need consistency; we need someone looking to make a lasting impact.
INDAWTA
Pay: £93.00-£108.50 per day
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- interventions: 1 year (required)
- ALN: 1 year (required)
- Maths: 1 year (preferred)
- English: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
