SEND TA Apprentice

Covered Service is looking to take on a motivated and compassionate SEND Teaching Assistant Apprentice to support children and young people with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, communication needs and social, emotional and mental health needs.

The successful candidate will complete either a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship or, for an appropriately experienced candidate who meets the entry requirements, a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to build a meaningful career in SEND education while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and practical experience. You will work in a busy, fast-paced environment where every day is different. You must be calm, resilient, adaptable and genuinely committed to helping young people make progress.

The role

Working under the direction of teachers and senior staff, you will provide individual and small-group support to learners with a range of educational, behavioural and emotional needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting learners with autism, ADHD, SEND and SEMH needs.
• Building safe, positive and professional relationships with children and young people.
• Delivering structured one-to-one interventions and small-group sessions.
• Supporting literacy, numeracy, communication, emotional regulation and social development.
• Helping learners understand instructions and remain engaged in education.
• Adapting activities and resources to meet different learning styles and individual needs.
• Supporting learners who may struggle with concentration, anxiety, behaviour or emotional regulation.
• Using calm and consistent approaches to prevent and de-escalate challenging situations.
• Encouraging independence, confidence, resilience and positive decision-making.
• Supporting learners with transitions between activities, lessons and environments.
• Helping to monitor progress against individual targets, support plans or Education, Health and Care Plans.
• Recording interventions, learner progress, achievements and any concerns accurately.
• Providing appropriate feedback to teachers and senior staff.
• Supporting the preparation of classrooms, learning resources and practical activities.
• Contributing to reviews and discussions about learners’ progress where appropriate.
• Following safeguarding, behaviour, health and safety, confidentiality and equality procedures.
• Reporting safeguarding or welfare concerns immediately through the correct procedures.
• Taking part in supervision, staff meetings, training and continuous professional development.
• Completing all apprenticeship learning, assignments, observations and assessments within the required timescales.

Additional skills we would welcome

We are particularly interested in candidates who can bring additional practical or vocational skills to the role. These could include:

• Hospitality, catering or cooking.
• Sports, fitness or outdoor activities.
• Art, music, drama or creative activities.
• Hair, beauty or barbering.
• Construction, DIY, gardening or practical skills.
• Childcare, youth work or community work.
• Digital skills, media or technology.
• Employability, enterprise or life-skills activities.

You do not need to be an expert, but you should be willing to use your interests and abilities to help learners engage, develop confidence and discover new skills.

Essential requirements

Applicants must:

• Have achieved a minimum of Grade 5 in GCSE English and mathematics, or hold recognised equivalent qualifications.
• Be interested in developing a career in SEND education.
• Have a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Be able to communicate clearly and professionally with learners, colleagues, families and other professionals.
• Be patient, emotionally mature and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Be comfortable working in a fast-paced and sometimes challenging environment.
• Be reliable, punctual, organised and willing to learn.
• Be able to follow instructions while also showing initiative.
• Understand the importance of professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Be willing to receive feedback and continuously improve their practice.
• Be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Be committed to completing all elements of the apprenticeship programme.

Desirable experience

It would be beneficial, although not essential, if applicants have:

• Previous experience working with children or young people.
• Experience supporting individuals with autism, ADHD, SEND or SEMH needs.
• Experience in a school, alternative provision, youth club, childcare, care or community setting.
• An understanding of trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.
• Experience delivering interventions, tutoring or small-group activities.
• Knowledge of phonics, literacy or numeracy interventions.
• Experience supporting behaviour and emotional regulation.
• First-aid, safeguarding, Team Teach or de-escalation training.
• A relevant Level 2, Level 3 or higher qualification.
• Experience or qualifications in a vocational, creative, sporting or practical subject.

Applicants interested in the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant pathway should ideally already have relevant experience and be ready to take greater responsibility for targeted interventions, specialist support and contributing to improved practice. Final apprenticeship-level eligibility will be confirmed following assessment by Covered Service and the training provider.

The person we are looking for

We are looking for someone who sees the potential in every learner. Some young people may find traditional education difficult and may communicate their needs through withdrawal, anxiety, frustration or challenging behaviour. The successful candidate will look beyond the behaviour, seek to understand the young person and provide consistent support without lowering expectations.

You should be:

• Caring, approachable and non-judgemental.
• Firm, fair and consistent.
• Resilient and able to recover quickly from difficult situations.
• Creative in finding different ways to engage learners.
• Confident enough to lead a short intervention or activity.
• Reflective and willing to improve.
• Able to celebrate small steps while continuing to work towards ambitious outcomes.
• Passionate about inclusion and ensuring SEND learners receive the support they need to succeed.

What we offer

The successful candidate will receive:

• A fully supported Level 3 or Level 5 apprenticeship pathway, subject to eligibility.
• Practical experience supporting learners with a range of SEND needs.
• Regular guidance, supervision and feedback.
• Training in safeguarding, SEND, autism, ADHD, behaviour support and intervention delivery.
• Opportunities to develop confidence in leading one-to-one and small-group sessions.
• Experience across academic, pastoral and practical areas of learning.
• Support from experienced education and SEND professionals.
• Opportunities for professional development and future career progression.
• The chance to make a genuine difference to children and young people.

Safeguarding statement

Covered Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete appropriate safer-recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and satisfactory references. Applicants will also be expected to disclose any information relevant to their suitability to work with children.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who meet the requirements of the role and share our commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and improving outcomes for young people.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a supporting statement explaining:

• Why you want to work with children and young people with SEND.
• Any experience you have supporting autism, ADHD, behaviour, learning or emotional needs.
• An example of how you have remained calm in a challenging or fast-paced situation.
• Any practical, vocational, creative or sporting skills you could bring to the role.
• Whether you wish to be considered for the Level 3 or Level 5 apprenticeship pathway.

Pay: £8.00-£12.71 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person