Job Overview

The primary goal of a Specialist Support Staff member is to provide tailored assistance to students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or those facing significant barriers to learning. Unlike general assistants, you will often focus on a specific area such as Autism (ASC), Speech and Language, or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

Core Responsibilities:

• One-to-One Support: Delivering bespoke learning plans for specific students.

• Resource Development: Creating specialized visual aids, sensory tools, or modified curriculum materials.

• Progress Tracking: Monitoring and reporting on student milestones to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).

• Intervention Leading: Running small group sessions for literacy, numeracy, or social skills.

• Therapeutic Liaison: Collaborating with external specialists like Speech Therapists or Educational Psychologists.

Key Requirements

To excel in this role, you need a mix of formal education and specific soft skills:

• Academic Foundation: GCSEs in English and Maths (Grades 9–4 or A*–C).

• Specialist Training: A Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning is standard. Additional certifications in Team-Teach (de-escalation), Makaton, or Braille are highly valued.

• Soft Skills: Exceptional patience, emotional resilience, and the ability to adapt lessons "on the fly" to meet a student's mood or energy level.

• Legal Compliance: A mandatory Enhanced DBS check and a solid understanding of UK Safeguarding and "Keeping Children Safe in Education" (KCSIE) guidelines.