learning support assistant (lsa) / teaching assistant (ta).

£90 - £95 per day

Bury St Edmunds

Are you an exceptionally empathetic, resilient, and highly skilled Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) ready to dedicate your talents to an outstanding specialist SEN setting?

Do you thrive on the challenge of supporting students with a broad range of complex Special Educational Needs (SEN) and possess the compassion, structure, and therapeutic approach required to facilitate genuine communication, independence, and emotional breakthroughs?

We are seeking a proactive, committed, and experienced individual to join a highly supportive and dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) school community in the Bury St Edmunds area. If you are passionate about providing a structured, nurturing, and success-driven learning environment for young people with significant needs, we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

A fantastic, immensely rewarding opening exists for an experienced LSA/TA to work within a well-regarded, specialist SEN school provision near Bury St Edmunds, focusing on secondary and post-16 learners. This crucial role involves supporting pupils who have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) encompassing:

• Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) / Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) with complex sensory and communication needs
• Associated physical disabilities and medical needs

Your contribution will be central to helping students engage meaningfully with a life skills and independence-focused curriculum, develop vital functional communication, and navigate their sensory and emotional world. You will be instrumental in creating a calm and predictable environment, often supporting pupils on a 1:1 or small group basis within highly structured classroom and community settings.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide tailored, direct support to named pupils, meticulously implementing their Individual Learning, Communication, and Therapeutic Targets as outlined in their EHCP and risk assessments.
• Assist the class teacher and therapists in preparing and adapting a highly differentiated, multi-sensory curriculum, utilising visual supports, sensory resources, and adaptive tools.
• Employ effective de-escalation and positive behaviour support strategies to manage sensory regulation challenges and instances of distress constructively, maintaining a calm presence.
• Facilitate and support the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods, such as PECS, Makaton, communication boards, or high-tech devices, as required by the students.
• Assist pupils with personal care needs, including feeding, toileting, and mobility, always maintaining dignity and professional standards.
• Act as a key worker and reliable adult, helping students navigate the school day, particularly during complex transitions and off-site community visits related to the life skills curriculum.
• Maintain accurate, professional records of pupil progress, sensory needs, and incidents for EHCP reviews and professional discussions.
• Collaborate effectively with class teachers, therapists (e.g., Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy), and external agencies to ensure a holistic approach to student development.

Essential Profile

• Previous, demonstrable classroom support experience (paid or voluntary) supporting secondary or post-16 children or young people with complex and varied SEN, such as PMLD, SLD, or severe ASC.
• A proven track record of using structured intervention techniques (e.g., TEACCH, PODD, specific communication systems) and a genuine understanding of the needs of non-verbal learners.
• Willingness and ability to confidently assist with personal care and medical support (training provided where necessary).
• Familiarity with visual schedules, sensory diets, and the use of adaptive technology within a specialist setting.
• High levels of patience, empathy, and physical/emotional resilience, coupled with a calm, consistent, and proactive approach to routines.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work confidently as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Possession of an Enhanced Child DBS on the update service (or willingness to complete one promptly).

Benefits of Joining Us

• A competitive daily pay rate of £90 - £95, reflective of your specialist experience and commitment to complex needs.
• The opportunity to work in an innovative, purpose-built SEN school in Bury St Edmunds that prioritises staff well-being and continuous professional growth.
• Access to specialist, accredited training in areas such as Manual Handling, specific AAC methods, Complex Needs teaching support, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
• A profoundly rewarding role where you will make tangible, life-changing progress in students' independence and communication.
• £300 Refer A Friend scheme (terms apply).

How to Apply

If you are a dedicated and supportive individual ready to make a difference in a school setting, please apply immediately with your CV or contact Neeraj at neeraj.kommaravalli@randstad.co.uk for more information.

We are the UK market leader for recruitment in education. We have nearly two decades of experience helping teachers and support staff find temporary and permanent roles in schools, colleges, and nurseries. We partner with over 2,500 schools each week, supporting more than 135,000 children every day across the country, which allows us to find the right match for your skills.