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Early Years Teaching Assistant – A Path from Care to Classroom
Summary
An emotionally rewarding opportunity awaits an Early Years Teaching Assistant role in a long-term temporary position with the potential to become permanent. This role is classroom-based within a nurturing special education setting, ideally suited to compassionate individuals from support, care, health, or social services backgrounds who are eager to transition into education and make a lasting difference.
The Role
You'll support children aged 3–7 with severe to profound learning needs, guided by their individual Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Working alongside skilled and dedicated staff, you will help deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences that promote communication, independence, social interaction, and well-being. You will also contribute to learning through daily routines, creative activities, assistive technology support, and nurturing interactions throughout the school day.
The Ideal Person and Skills/Education Needed
Applicants with an Early Years or Childcare qualification is desirable. Experience in care, health, social care, or support work—especially with children who have additional needs—is highly valued. We're looking for someone who is patient, adaptable, caring, and committed to helping pupils flourish in a safe and supportive environment. A genuine passion for SEND and for making learning meaningful and inclusive is essential.
The School
The setting is a warm and inclusive special school in whitehaven serving children with learning difficulties. It operates with small class sizes, dedicated pathways for personalised learning, and a strong emphasis on communication, independence, and well-being.
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30 am–3.30 pm. Full-time and part-time applications are welcome.
The Benefits
Enjoy competitive pay, work in a supportive and collaborative environment, and have the opportunity to develop within a classroom setting, drawing on your transferable skills. The long-term nature of the role offers stability, with the potential to transition into a permanent position.
Join a team where every little learner is valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive—your care, experience, and dedication really will make a difference.
Safeguarding children is an integral part of what we do and we have a stringent safer recruitment process. We undertake checks on all the candidates we work with. As such we require a current Enhanced DBS Disclosure for everyone working in Schools. If you do not have a subscription to the DBS Update Service, you may be required to complete a new DBS application as part of the registration process. If you take a temporary role with Sense Education you will be paid on a weekly basis. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position but long term. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available.
