Teaching Assistant Level 3 (Complex Needs)

For every journey, let’s take first steps together.

At First Steps Together, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, understood, included and able to succeed.

We are a growing group of specialist independent schools supporting children and young people with SEND and complex needs. Across our schools, we create nurturing, structured and aspirational environments where strong relationships, highly individualised support and high expectations help pupils overcome barriers and make meaningful progress.

We are looking for an experienced, compassionate and resilient Teaching Assistant Level 3 Complex SEND to join our team at Kershaw Wood Manchester (M23 4NG), supporting pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2.

We’re particularly looking for someone who already has experience supporting children or young people with SEND and complex needs and understands how to adapt their approach around the individual child.

What you’ll be doing

Working alongside teachers and other professionals, you’ll help create a safe, positive and engaging learning environment where pupils with complex SEND are supported to participate, communicate, develop independence and make progress.

You’ll work one-to-one and with small groups, delivering personalised learning activities and targeted interventions and adapting your communication, resources and approach to meet pupils’ individual learning, communication, sensory and emotional needs.

You’ll build positive and trusting relationships with pupils, providing the consistency, structure and clear boundaries they need to feel safe and ready to learn.

You’ll support pupils’ EHCP outcomes, individual learning plans, communication and regulation strategies, behaviour support plans and risk assessments, working closely with teachers, families and other professionals to provide consistent support.

You’ll understand that behaviour can be a form of communication, recognising when a pupil may be communicating distress, sensory need, anxiety, frustration or difficulty expressing themselves and responding calmly using agreed approaches.

You’ll also observe and record pupils’ progress, recognising and celebrating the small but significant steps that can make a real difference for children with complex needs.

Bring your difference

We’re looking for someone with experience of working with children or young people with SEND and complex needs who is ready to bring that experience into a specialist school environment.

You’ll be patient, compassionate, resilient and consistent, with the ability to understand individual needs, build strong relationships and remain calm and confident when situations are challenging.

You’ll understand that every child communicates, learns and engages differently and be able to adapt your communication, activities, resources and environment accordingly.

Ideally, you’ll have experience of areas such as communication needs, sensory and emotional regulation, behaviour support, personalised learning and delivering targeted interventions. The JDPS also identifies a relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience as essential.

Most importantly, you’ll bring empathy, curiosity and a genuine belief in every pupil’s ability to develop, learn and make meaningful progress.

Why First Steps Together?

You’ll join a supportive and growing specialist education group, with comprehensive induction, ongoing specialist training and opportunities for professional development and career progression.

You’ll have opportunities to continue developing your knowledge and skills across SEND, communication, regulation, safeguarding, behaviour support and inclusive practice.

Above all, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference at Kershaw Wood helping younger pupils with SEND and complex needs to communicate, engage with learning, develop their independence and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Bring your difference. Take your next step with First Steps Together.

Safeguarding

First Steps Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to these roles will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS, satisfactory references, online checks and overseas police checks where required.

How To Apply

Please download and complete the attached application form.

Once completed, please send your application form to recruitment@fstmanagement.uk prior to the application closing date.

We reserve the right to close applications earlier should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications which meet the essential criteria.

We will not accept CVs in place of completed application forms.