Job Description:

SEN Teaching Assistant – Cranleigh, Surrey

Location: Cranleigh, Surrey
Hours: Full-time, Monday 08:30–16:00, Tuesday–Thursday 08:30–16:15, Friday 08:30–15:45
Pay: £14.50 – £15.55 per hour
Contract: Long-term / Temp-to-Perm
Transport: Due to the rural location, public transport is not a viable option. Applicants must have their own reliable transport.

Are you looking for a SEN Teaching Assistant role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people with additional needs? Inspire EHC is proud to be recruiting a compassionate and resilient SEN Teaching Assistant to join an outstanding specialist education setting in the Cranleigh area of Surrey.

This is not your typical mainstream Teaching Assistant position. You’ll be supporting children and young people aged 5 -19 with autism, complex learning disabilities, social communication difficulties and associated behavioural needs, helping them develop academically, socially and emotionally while building the practical skills they need for greater independence. 

About the SEN Teaching Assistant Role

Working as part of a skilled education and therapy team, you’ll provide individualised support to pupils with a wide range of complex needs.

Learning is highly personalised, with students supported according to their individual ability and social needs rather than simply their age. Alongside literacy, numeracy and other curriculum areas, there is a strong focus on communication, independence, practical life skills and preparing young people for life beyond education. Some pupils may be non-verbal and communicate using methods such as Makaton, signs, symbols and communication aids, so patience, creativity and the ability to adapt your communication style are particularly important. 

Your Role Will Include

• Supporting pupils with autism, complex learning disabilities and social communication needs

• Providing individual and small-group support within a specialist classroom environment

• Helping pupils engage with personalised learning activities

• Supporting communication and interaction

• Encouraging independence, confidence and essential life skills

• Helping young people regulate their emotions and behaviour when they become anxious, frustrated or overwhelmed

• Working alongside teachers, therapists and other specialist professionals

• Supporting pupils consistently through positive relationships and clear boundaries

• Contributing to a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment

The work can sometimes be challenging, so a calm approach, emotional resilience, empathy and a genuine desire to understand behaviour as communication are essential.

About the Specialist School

You’ll be joining an established specialist school and college in the Cranleigh area supporting young people with complex SEND. The wider provision combines specialist education, therapy and care, with an integrated approach designed to help each young person achieve the highest possible level of independence. The setting is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and holds autism-specific accreditation, including National Autistic Society accreditation and the Autism Education Trust Schools Licence for Surrey. It’s an excellent environment for someone who wants to build genuine specialist experience rather than simply gaining general classroom experience.

Who We're Looking For

We'd love to hear from you if you are:

• Caring, patient and compassionate

• Passionate about working with children or young people with SEND

• Calm and consistent when supporting challenging behaviour

• Able to build positive and trusting relationships

• Resilient and comfortable working within a complex-needs environment

• A good communicator and team player

• Willing to support pupils with varying levels of independence and communication

Previous SEN experience is welcomed, but your attitude, resilience and empathy are just as important. Applicants do not necessarily need prior experience, with compassion and a positive "can do" attitude being key attributes.

Important – Own Transport Required

Due to the school's rural location, public transport is not a realistic option for this role. You must have access to your own reliable transport and be able to travel to the Cranleigh area for an 08:30 start.

Please consider your commute before applying.

What Inspire EHC Offers

• £14.5 – £15.55 per hour

• Weekly PAYE payments

• Long-term opportunity with potential to become permanent

• Access to 20+ free CPD courses

• Dedicated support from an experienced SEND recruitment consultant

• Opportunities to develop specialist experience in autism, SEND, complex learning needs and positive behaviour support

• A personable and honest recruitment process

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspire EHC and our partner specialist school are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Inspire EHC is an Equal Opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Apply Today

If you're looking for a rewarding SEN Teaching Assistant job in Cranleigh, Surrey and want to build your career supporting children and young people with autism, complex learning disabilities and additional needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this long-term SEN Teaching Assistant opportunity.