Job Title: Teaching Assistant Location: Standlake, Oxford. Salary: £24,206 - £26,522 per year Job type: Permanent, full-time. Shift pattern: Monday to Friday, 08:45-16:15 (37.5 hrs per week) About the role : Are you keen to start a new chapter in your career? Why not join The Mulberry Bush School, as a Teaching Assistant, where you will play a key role in enriching the lives of children affected by trauma and help them create a new narrative. You will work in our small residential primary school (approx. 30 children in the school, with a maximum of 8 per classroom) as a part of the education team, reporting to a classroom teacher. You will provide educational, emotional and practical support to individual children and small groups of children. Due to the children’s past experiences many of the children display negative behaviours. As a member of the educational team, you will help provide the children with ways of re-defining themselves and their personalities through positive experiences, focussing on their strengths, understanding their regressive tendencies and providing nurture when needed. We’ll look to you to: Work closely with the classroom teacher to support the children with their learning tasks to maximise their progress. Support children with independence, confidence and social integration. Work with the teacher to prepare for lessons, getting involved in team meetings and training. Help maintain a well-organised and stimulating classroom environment. Identify issues of concern regarding children’s behaviour and provide feedback to the teacher and treatment team. Supervise children during the school day. This may include having to physically intervene to support a child. Provide basic childcare, including first aid and hygiene support. Be willing to undertake The Mulberry Bush Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People. We'll care for you too: You're not just part of a team, you're part of our family. Support echoes through every part of our community, and your colleagues are always here to lend a hand or share a smile. We also offer the following benefits to make your journey with us even more rewarding: Competitive salary 50 days holiday per year (to be taken during The Mulberry Bush School holidays) A comprehensive range of informal and formal wellbeing support Employer contribution pension of 6% Enhanced parental leave benefits Subsidised meals What’s more, we’re deeply invested in your professional growth and development. As part of your role, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a fully accredited and funded Foundation Degree (FdA) in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People, run by The Mulberry Bush and validated by the University of the West of England. About you: We're looking for someone who embodies resilience, empathy, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. You’ll also need to be happy to get hands-on with all sorts of activities. Drawing on your life experiences, you can provide valuable guidance and support to help our children thrive. You’ll also need: Experience of working or caring for school-age children. Communicate effectively with Children and colleagues. Good organisation and time management. Good standard of literacy and numeracy skills. Remain calm and in control under pressure. The legal right to live and work in the UK. About the Mulberry Bush: At The Mulberry Bush, we believe that with support and opportunities, children can overcome challenges and shape their future. We see their untold stories, possibilities, dreams, and untapped potential – and we believe in their ability to rewrite their destiny. All while having lots of fun along the way. The Mulberry Bush is a therapeutic community, registered as a children’s home and a non-maintained residential special school. We also provide therapeutic outreach services to schools and other community-based organisations, along with research and consultancy services. We are dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by childhood trauma. Since 1948, we’ve been helping children and those around them through specialist therapeutic services and fulfilling activities. Over the years we have established an outstanding reputation for transforming the lives of all those affected by childhood trauma. We believe we offer something special – and we’d love you to be part of it. Apply now: If you believe that you have the experience and expertise required to succeed in this role, please submit your CV via the 'Apply for this job' button. If you require further information about the role, please click here to see a copy of the job description. If you have any questions about the role or the work we do, please email the HR team at careersmulberrybush.org.uk The Mulberry Bush is an equal opportunities employer. It is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff and students to share this commitment. Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK. For applicants requiring visas, we can only accept those with visas which allow you to work in the UK indefinitely (we cannot offer sponsorship). This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates must be prepared to undertake a DBS criminal background check. Application timeline: Closing date: 31st January Initial phone interviews: W/C 3rd of February Visitor sessions: 13th February Deadline for application forms: 24th February 9am Interviews: 4th of March