SEN Teaching Assistant - No Experience Necessary

SEN Teaching Assistant – no experience necessary – Aurora Ivy Lane School
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire   
Salary: £12.37 - £13.49 per hour - depending on qualifications and experience (£20,445.01 to £22,296.14 actual annual salary)
Hours: 37 hours per week – Term Time Only  

Aurora Ivy Lane School

Aurora Ivy Lane School is a 'Good' (Ofsted, October 2023) rated innovative provider of specialist education, supporting young people aged 11 - 19 with complex needs including autism, moderate and severe learning disabilities; speech, language, communication and interaction needs and behaviours that can challenge.

Our class sizes are small (up to 8 students), highly supported by some great Teaching Assistants (typically 1:1) and experienced class teachers and complimented by a superb therapy team.

We’re currently looking for a number of SEN Teaching Assistants. Whilst previous experience isn’t essential, the ability and desire to build a professional & trusted relationship with our young people is.

The Role / Key duties:

As our new Teaching Assistant, your role will be to support our children with their learning and general wellbeing to ensure every child has the best opportunity to reach their full potential in a caring and safe environment.

Where necessary this may include supporting with care needs from time to time, as well as following plans to ensure each child’s needs are met through positive behaviour management and personalised approaches to meeting sensory and communication needs.

You will be expected to establish a warm, caring and supportive relationship with pupils in order to support them in feeling safe and enabling them to enjoy and learn during their time at the school. As part of a committed team including a range of professionals, you will work to promote and encourage independence and personal development in pupils and maintain high expectations of behaviour at all times.

You will support the class teacher and contribute to providing high quality, challenging and differentiated educational activities and experiences through supporting the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum aiming at pupils achieving their full potential in all areas of learning. 

Like many SEN environments, your duties are likely to vary and therefore candidates will need to be flexible and be able to lend a hand whenever required. Please see the link below for our full job description:

Job Description: SEN Teaching Assistant

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

Essential:

• GCSE Maths and English Level 2/C or equivalent
• Ability to adapt
• The desire to put our pupils first and treat them as individuals
• Be positive and creative in assisting to meet pupils’ individual needs 
• Ability to follow plans and work professionally and effectively alongside a range of professionals.

Desirable:

• Experience working with SEN in an employed or voluntary setting   
• A willingness to undertake training/ CPD including working towards a level 3 TA qualification as required. Please note, the level 3 TA qualification and other relevant courses will be fully funded and supported by the school.
• A willingness to complete and follow initial training/ CPD on safeguarding, supporting learning and the needs of children with SEND. 

What’s on Offer at Aurora?

We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you:

Grow with Us – Training & Development

Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.

Save Money on Everyday Essentials

With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:

• Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more
• Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme

Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed

Competitive Pay & Reward

We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced Pension
• Life Assurance

24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household

Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.

UK Health Cash Plan

Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!

Employee Assistance Programme

Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:

• Freephone counselling (available 24/7)
• Online tools and resources

Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded!
(*Terms apply)

How to apply? 

Please complete a full online application form. If you would like assistance in completing this application form or more information on this position or even to arrange a visit to the school prior to applying, please contact Carl in the Recruitment Team at carl.standidge@the-aurora-group.com 

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.