Autism Teaching Assistant
Summary
Sense Education is looking for a compassionate and proactive Autism Teaching Assistant to join a welcoming specialist school in Whitehaven this September. This is a long-term, full-time or part-time role supporting children and young people with autism and associated needs in a nurturing, structured environment. If you’re calm, creative, and passionate about inclusive education, this could be your next step.
The Role
You’ll be supporting pupils aged 4–19 with autism, sensory needs, and communication differences. Working in small classes with high staff ratios, you’ll provide tailored 1:1 and small group support to help pupils:
- Develop social and communication skills
- Regulate their emotions using structured routines and sensory strategies
- Access learning through creative, play-based, and hands-on activities
- Grow in independence through life skills and personalised goals
You’ll be part of a highly supportive team who value positivity, patience, and curiosity. No two days will be the same—and that’s part of the reward.
Who This Role Is For
Whether you’ve worked in education, care, youth work, or have personal experience supporting someone with autism, your transferable skills are welcome here. You’ll thrive in this role if you are:
- Qualifications & Requirements
- Minimum qualifications required: A recognised Teaching Assistant qualification or a background in education or care (NVQ, CACHE, Degree, or equivalent)
- Patient, calm, and emotionally resilient
- A team player with strong communication and a sense of humour
- Passionate about supporting children with additional needs
- Open to using or learning communication tools like PECS or Makaton (training provided)
The School
This specialist provision is known for its inclusive ethos and whole-child approach. Pupils are supported through individualised programmes that focus on communication, wellbeing, and confidence-building. Staff are collaborative and well-trained, with a shared commitment to helping children feel safe, heard, and celebrated for who they are.
Working Hours and Details
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm
- Location - Whitehaven
- Role Type: Full Time / Part time/ Temp-Perm
- Pay Rate: £14.60 - £16.90 per hour
Why Apply?
- Competitive pay
- Long-term consistency in one setting
- Opportunities for temp-to-perm progression
- Ongoing training and CPD in autism and SEND
If you’re ready to bring empathy, energy and creativity to a classroom that celebrates every child’s unique journey, we’d love to hear from you.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temp to perm
Pay: £94.00-£110.00 per day
Work Location: In person
