KEYFORT Group are delighted to share an exciting opportunity as part of the expansion of our new Alternative Education Service, developed in partnership with South Tyneside Council. This role marks a key step in our journey to provide innovative, person-centred education for young people with complex needs who fall outside of mainstream education.
Please note: This position does not offer UK visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: South Shields
Rate of Pay: £13.65 per hour
Shift Pattern Available: Supply / Various
Essential Criteria: Experience supporting primary-aged children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, with confidence in managing and responding to challenging behaviours.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Teaching Assistant who is passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people with additional needs.
Role Overview
This is a unique opportunity for a qualified Teaching Assistant who may be looking for a change from a traditional classroom environment or busy SEN setting.
Rather than supporting multiple pupils throughout the school day, this role focuses on providing dedicated one-to-one support within an individual learning environment, either in a specialist classroom or home tutoring setting.
This approach enables you to build meaningful relationships, deliver highly personalised learning experiences, and make a genuine impact on a young person's educational and personal development.
This is a non-traditional teaching support role that requires flexibility, creativity, patience, and a willingness to think beyond conventional educational approaches. Every day will be different, and you will have the opportunity to tailor support to meet the individual needs, strengths, and aspirations of the student.
Working alongside a Qualified Teacher, you will help plan and deliver engaging learning activities aligned to the student's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes. You will create visual resources, adapt learning materials, and utilise a range of communication methods to support both verbal and non-verbal learners.
You will also work collaboratively with our SEND Lead, ACE Coordinator, families, care teams, and external professionals such as Speech and Language
Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Social Workers to ensure a holistic and person-centred approach to education and development.
Essential Criteria
- Level 2 or above Teaching Assistant qualification.
- Experience supporting children or young people within education, care, or SEN settings.
- Experience working with individuals who have Autism, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), complex needs, or behaviours that may challenge.
- A positive, resilient, and nurturing approach that promotes engagement, confidence, and wellbeing.
- Sound understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and best practice.
- Ability to adapt support strategies to meet a range of individual learning and developmental needs.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Desirable Criteria
- Additional qualifications or training related to SEN, Autism, or behavioural support.
- Knowledge of positive behaviour support and effective behaviour management strategies.
- Experience creating and using visual resources, communication aids, or alternative communication systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide dedicated one-to-one support to a student throughout their learning activities and daily routine under the guidance of a Qualified Teacher.
- Deliver safe, high-quality, and person-centred educational support.
- Develop and adapt learning resources and activities that reflect the student's EHCP outcomes and individual learning style.
- Complete associated administration and record-keeping requirements.
- Maintain a clean, organised, and welcoming learning environment, including preparing resources and materials for sessions.
- Promote independence, communication, emotional regulation, and social development through creative and engaging approaches.
- Work collaboratively with families, care teams, and external professionals to ensure consistency and continuity of support.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of the young person at all times, ensuring their needs, rights, and best interests remain central to all aspects of practice.
What can KEYFORT offer you: As well as personal satisfaction in knowing you have been able to make a positive difference to the person’s life. We also offer the following to our support workers;
- A contract that works for you, Supply contract, this is a term time role
- Paid Annual Leave; Protected Term Time Leave
- Training, Mentoring and Shadowing programmes; inhouse with our own RGN, Occupational Therapist and trained Psychologists
- Paid Enhanced DBS check
- Colleague Referral Scheme - £200 incentive bonus (T&C’s apply)
- FlexEarn; which is a simple and safe way of accessing the wages you’ve already earned
- Blue Light discount card; giving you BIG discounts at major retailers
- Employee of the month scheme; winners receive a monetary voucher
- Recognition scheme with monetary rewards
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
KEYFORT Group is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and lived experiences, including those from under-represented groups.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and employment, to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
Next Stage
All applications will be assessed against the role requirements. Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to share their interview availability. If you have not heard from us within 7 days of the advert closing date, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been successful.
Pay: £13.65 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Licence/Certification:
- Do you have a TA Level 2 or above qualifcation? (required)
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
