SEND Teaching Assistant - PMLD - Specialist School

Location: Southwark, London, England

Pay: £93 – £105, depending on qualifications and experience.

Start date: 23 November 2026, or as soon as possible

Contract: Full-time, temporary, long-term.

Hours: Monday to Friday during term time, Exact hours agreed before placement.

About The Role Transparency Education is recruiting a SEND Teaching Assistant for a specialist school opportunity in Southwark. You will support pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), combining attentive care with engaging, accessible activities.

You will learn how individual pupils express preferences, respond to sensory experiences and show comfort or distress. Personal care forms part of the role, with specialist support carried out in line with care plans and appropriate training.

Key responsibilities

• Help pupils access sensory stories, music and adapted learning activities.
• Use agreed communication approaches to offer choices and encourage responses.
• Support personal care, comfort and physical access according to individual plans.
• Work with teachers and other professionals to record engagement and progress.

Requirements To be eligible for this role and the stated pay, applicants must have:

• Experience in SEND, disability support or a relevant care setting.
• Patience, attention to detail and a confident, dignified approach to personal care.
• Moving and handling or communication training is useful; work within your training at all times.
• Appropriate qualifications and training for the responsibilities of the post.

Higher rates reflect substantial relevant experience and/or training, such as a recognised Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent where relevant. Pay follows school expectations and AWR, where applicable.

What the role offers

Develop your specialist support experience while helping each pupil participate as fully as possible.

Why Transparency Education?

We support teachers and school support staff through attentive service and professional development, offering:

• A dedicated consultant providing ongoing support and guidance.
• A £150 refer-a-friend reward once your referred candidate has worked and been paid for their first 10 days.
• Pay in line with Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), including equal pay treatment where applicable.
• Access to a wide range of CPD through our in-house team of experienced senior leaders.

Apply today

Send your CV and details of your complex-needs experience, including any relevant care training.

Email [email protected] or call 0204 652 7122. Please include your earliest available start date.

If you are not contacted within two working days, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion. We will retain your CV to help you find other education opportunities.

Safer recruitment

Transparency Education operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We promote equality, challenge discrimination and are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers must share this commitment. Appointments are subject to Enhanced DBS clearance, references, right-to-work and appropriate safer recruitment checks.