Experienced Teaching Assistants – Make the Move into SEN
Location: Leeds, Bradford & WakefieldContract: Full-time | Long-term roles available
If you’re an experienced Teaching Assistant looking for a new challenge, working in an SEN (Special Educational Needs) school could be the most rewarding next step in your career.
SEN schools across Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield are looking for talented, patient, and dedicated TAs who are ready to use their skills in a more focused, impactful setting. You’ll often work 1:1 or in small groups, helping pupils access learning in a way that’s tailored to their unique needs, whether that’s through visual resources, sensory play, communication aids like Makaton or PECs, or therapeutic approaches to behaviour and emotional regulation.
It’s work that requires adaptability and empathy, but offers real connection, visible progress, and the chance to play a meaningful role in a child’s development.
Why Work with Zen Educate?
Zen Educate is a social enterprise, not a traditional agency — and we do things differently:
- Higher Pay for TAs We reinvest more of our funding back into educator pay, meaning you earn more for your experience than with most agencies.
- Flexible & Transparent Platform Our easy-to-use online platform lets you view, manage, and apply for roles directly, with full visibility over location, pay, and length of contract.
- Long-Term Career SupportWe don’t just place you in a role, we support your development. Whether it’s CPD, SEN-specific training, or advice on moving toward HLTA or teaching qualifications, we’re here for the long term.
✅ What You’ll Need:
- Experience as a Teaching Assistant in a school setting (mainstream or SEN)
- Confidence supporting children with varied learning needs
- A calm, proactive, and empathetic approach
- Willingness to learn new methods and adapt your practice to SEN environments
What You’ll Gain:
- A meaningful TA role, focused on individual impact
- Experience that can lead to HLTA status, SENCo pathways, or teacher training
- Better work-life balance in term-time roles
- Competitive pay and the support of a team who understand the education sector inside out
If you're ready to bring your classroom skills into a setting where they can make even more of a difference, we’d love to help you take the next step.
Apply now to speak with our team and explore SEN roles near you.About Zen Educate:
Register from the comfort of your own home - Upload the required safeguarding documents and complete a video conference interview without ever leaving the house.
Set your preferences - Receive and manage bookings through either your phone or laptop on our beautifully designed online platform. Create your profile with the information you want to highlight to schools.
Hassle-free - You no longer have to struggle with continuous unnecessary phone calls, timesheets, or any of the other hassle that comes with supply work.
Completely transparent - We always charge the school the same transparent, flat-fee and not a commission. As a result, our mission is always to facilitate the fairest match between schools and Teachers.
Temp-to-perm - Like the school you’re working at? Zen Educate makes it easy for a school to hire you on a permanent contract.
By applying to this job post, Zen Educate collects your information in accordance with our terms of service and privacy policy (found on our website). We may also contact you by email/phone/text about your registration.
Reference: IND-ST-LEE-SEN
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £108.50-£118.00 per day
Work Location: On the road
