Job Specification: SEND Teaching Assistant
Location: St Helens
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Temp (potential to turn permanent for the right candidate)
Pay: £90 - £120 per day
About the Role:
We are looking for a dynamic and proactive SEND Teaching Assistant supporting children with ADHD in a mainstream high school in St Helens.
In this role, you will work closely with the children to help them stay engaged, focused, and manage their ADHD symptoms. You will provide personalised support during lessons and activities, ensuring the child can access the curriculum effectively while promoting positive behaviours.
Key Responsibilities:
• 1:1 Support: Provide tailored support to a child with ADHD, helping them to remain focused, organised, and engaged in lessons and school activities.
• Behaviour Management: Implement strategies to manage impulsivity and hyperactivity, using a calm and structured approach. Promote positive behaviour through reinforcement and physical activities that engage the child.
• Active Learning: Utilise sports and physical activities as a tool for engagement and focus. Support the child in taking part in outdoor activities, physical education, and movement-based tasks to help them regulate their energy levels.
• Individualised Support: Assist the child in accessing the curriculum by providing personalised tasks, breaking down instructions, and using visual aids and other resources as required.
• Social Skills Development: Encourage positive social interactions with peers and support the child in building appropriate relationships, using group activities and sports to foster teamwork and cooperation.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the class teacher, SENCO, and other professionals to implement the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and ensure they are receiving the appropriate support.
• Monitoring Progress: Track the child’s progress, noting areas of improvement or any challenges, and provide regular feedback to the class teacher and SENCO. Adapt approaches where necessary.
• Safeguarding: Adhere to all school safeguarding and child protection policies, ensuring the safety and well-being of the child at all times.
Key Qualifications and Skills:
• Experience working with children, preferably with ADHD or other special educational needs.
• Strong understanding of ADHD, its impact on learning and behaviour, and strategies to support children with attention and hyperactivity challenges.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours in a calm and constructive manner, using proactive strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, staff, and parents.
• A qualification in supporting children with SEND (e.g., Level 2/3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent) is advantageous.
Personal Attributes:
• Enthusiastic and energetic, with a passion for working with children and supporting their learning and development.
• Creative and resourceful, with the ability to think outside the box to engage the child and promote positive behaviour.
• A calm and patient approach, with the ability to remain composed in challenging situations.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• A positive role model, demonstrating professionalism and respect for all individuals.
Additional Information:
This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with a sports or physical activity background to make a real difference in the life of a child with ADHD. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, resilient, and committed to providing personalised support in a nurturing and inclusive environment.