Location: Watford, Hertfordshire
Start Date: September
Contract Type: Full-Time
Salary: Competitive weekly pay
Supply Desk is seeking a compassionate, patient, and dedicated Specialist Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) in a welcoming and inclusive school in the Watford area from September.
This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced Teaching Assistant who is passionate about providing high-quality, personalised support to children and young people with complex learning and additional needs. The successful candidate will play a vital role in supporting pupils' educational, communication, social, emotional, and personal development.
Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, and the wider support team, you will provide tailored one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with PMLD. You will help pupils access learning, develop communication and independence skills, and participate fully in school life within a safe, nurturing, and highly supportive environment.
The school is looking for someone who is calm, empathetic, and adaptable, with a genuine understanding of the individual needs of pupils with complex learning difficulties. You will need to be confident working as part of a multidisciplinary team and committed to ensuring every pupil is treated with dignity, respect, and care.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for a Teaching Assistant with experience in special educational needs to develop their specialist knowledge and make a meaningful difference to the lives of pupils with PMLD.
- Provide dedicated one-to-one and small-group support to pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).
- Support pupils to access learning activities through personalised and appropriately adapted approaches.
- Work closely with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, and other professionals to implement individual learning and support plans.
- Support pupils with communication, sensory, physical, social, and emotional needs.
- Encourage pupils to develop independence, confidence, communication, and life skills wherever appropriate.
- Use a range of communication strategies and resources to support pupils' individual communication needs.
- Assist pupils in participating in classroom activities, sensory activities, outdoor learning, and wider school experiences.
- Support pupils with personal care and mobility needs where required and in accordance with school policies and individual care plans.
- Create a calm, safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment where pupils feel valued and supported.
- Observe and monitor pupils' progress and development, sharing relevant information with teachers and other professionals.
- Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils, families, teachers, therapists, and colleagues.
- Work collaboratively with the wider school team to support the progress and wellbeing of all pupils.
- Contribute to the wider school community through enrichment activities and school events.
- Uphold high standards of safeguarding, behaviour, and pupil wellbeing.
- Has previous experience working with children or young people with PMLD, complex needs, or significant learning difficulties.
- Has experience working within a specialist school, SEN setting, or primary/secondary school environment.
- Demonstrates a caring, patient, empathetic, and nurturing approach.
- Has a good understanding of the needs of pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
- Is confident supporting pupils with communication, sensory, physical, and complex learning needs.
- Has strong communication and interpersonal skills and can build positive relationships with pupils and colleagues.
- Is comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside teachers, therapists, and other professionals.
- Is able to remain calm, patient, and professional when responding to challenging or unpredictable situations.
- Understands the importance of dignity, respect, safeguarding, and person-centred support.
- Has a good understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
- Is reliable, adaptable, proactive, and able to res
