Hours: 9:00am–3:00pm, up to 4 days per week
Contract: Term‑time only
Location: Alternative Provision setting
Essential: Experience working in an Alternative Provision, PRU, or similar high‑needs educational environment
Desirable: Experience and/or qualification in hair, beauty, barbering or nails
Overview
We are seeking a resilient, skilled and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our Alternative Provision team. This role is suited to someone with proven experience in a PRU, AP, or other high‑needs educational setting, who understands the complexities of supporting young people with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, and disrupted educational histories.
The successful candidate will play a vital role in supporting learning, promoting emotional regulation, and helping students re‑engage with education through a structured, trauma‑informed approach. A background or qualification in hair, beauty, barbering or nails is highly advantageous, as many of our learners benefit from vocational, hands‑on learning experiences.
Responsibilities
- Support teachers and instructors in delivering engaging, differentiated lessons tailored to students with SEMH, behavioural needs, autism, and other SEND.
- Provide consistent, calm and relational support to help students access learning and maintain emotional regulation.
- Deliver 8:2 or small‑group interventions, including academic, pastoral, and vocational sessions.
- Assist with vocational learning, particularly in hair, beauty, barbering or nail‑related activities, where applicable.
- Contribute to a safe, structured and predictable environment, using trauma‑informed and restorative approaches.
- Support behaviour management through clear boundaries, positive relationships and de‑escalation strategies.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, AP leads and external professionals to support individual learning plans and EHCP outcomes.
- Maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with staff regarding student progress, concerns and safeguarding matters.
- Model professional conduct, emotional resilience and a nurturing approach that promotes student confidence and independence.
Skills & Experience
- Essential: Experience working in an Alternative Provision, PRU, or similar high‑needs educational environment.
- Strong understanding of SEMH needs, trauma‑informed practice, and behaviour support strategies.
- Experience supporting young people with autism, ADHD, and other SEND.
- Ability to build trusting, professional relationships with students who may present challenging behaviour.
- Confident in delivering 8:2 and small‑group support, both academic and vocational.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team.
- Desirable: Experience or qualification in hair, beauty, barbering or nails, or confidence supporting vocational learning.
- A compassionate, patient and resilient approach, with a commitment to helping young people re‑engage with education.
We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about supporting young people in Alternative Provision and who bring both professional skill and emotional resilience to their practice. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of learners who need stability, encouragement and high‑quality support.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £12.50-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
