Job Category: 1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant

Job Location: Wandsworth

Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant with a passion for supporting pupils with SEN, SEMH needs, or challenging behaviour?

Ortus Recruitment is working in partnership with a specialist school in Wandsworth to recruit dedicated, patient and resilient Teaching Assistants for an immediate start.

This is a full-time, long-term opportunity for candidates who have experience supporting pupils with additional needs and are confident helping children and young people overcome barriers to learning. You will work closely with pupils who require additional academic, behavioural, emotional or social support to access education and reach their full potential.

Please note: Candidates who apply for this position may also be considered for suitable opportunities within our partnered mainstream primary schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), depending on their experience, skills and preferences. This is an excellent opportunity to explore a range of education-based roles through Ortus Recruitment.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working in a school or educational setting, supporting pupils with SEN, SEMH needs, challenging behaviour or complex learning needs. We are looking for someone who can build positive relationships, manage challenging situations calmly and provide consistent support throughout the school day.

The Role

As a Specialist Teaching Assistant, you will:

Provide dedicated one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEN, SEMH needs or additional learning requirements.
Support pupils who may display challenging behaviour, emotional dysregulation or difficulties engaging with learning.
Help pupils access classroom activities and make progress towards their individual learning goals.
Implement strategies to support positive behaviour, emotional regulation and social development.
Build trusting relationships with pupils while maintaining clear, consistent boundaries.
Work collaboratively with teachers, teaching assistants and the wider pastoral team to meet individual pupil needs.
Support pupils in developing confidence, independence and positive learning behaviours.
Use patience, encouragement and appropriate de-escalation techniques when managing challenging situations.
Adapt your approach to meet the individual needs, abilities and learning styles of each pupil.
Contribute to a safe, structured and inclusive learning environment.
Monitor pupils’ engagement and progress, communicating relevant observations to teaching staff.
Promote pupils’ wellbeing and help them develop the skills needed to succeed both academically and socially.

About You

Our partnered schools are looking for candidates who are:

Experienced working within a school or educational setting.
Knowledgeable about, or experienced in supporting, pupils with SEN, SEMH needs or challenging behaviour.
Patient, compassionate and emotionally resilient.
Confident managing challenging behaviour and supporting emotional regulation.
Skilled at building positive and professional relationships with children and young people.
Calm under pressure and able to respond appropriately to difficult situations.
Proactive, adaptable and confident working on a one-to-one basis.
Able to work effectively as part of a wider teaching and support team.
Committed to helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their potential.
Reliable and available for a full-time, long-term placement.

Previous experience supporting pupils with autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, behavioural needs or social and emotional challenges would be advantageous.

Additional Opportunities Through Ortus Recruitment

Although this advert is focused on a Specialist Teaching Assistant position within a SEN school in Wandsworth, all suitable applicants may also be considered for roles across our network of partnered schools and educational settings, including:

Specialist SEN Schools: Supporting pupils with a range of additional learning needs, communication difficulties and complex needs.
Mainstream Primary Schools: Providing classroom support, one-to-one assistance and targeted interventions for pupils who need additional help with learning or behaviour.
Pupil Referral Units (PRUs): Supporting pupils who may have been excluded from mainstream education or who require specialist behavioural, emotional and social support.

We will consider your previous experience, strengths, preferred working environment and availability when identifying suitable opportunities. Applying for this role could therefore open the door to other full-time, long-term education positions that match your skills and career goals.

Why Join Ortus Recruitment?

At Ortus Recruitment, we specialise in connecting talented education professionals with schools where they can make a genuine impact.

When you join us, you will benefit from:

Ongoing support from your dedicated Ortus Recruitment consultant.
Access to full-time, long-term opportunities within partnered schools.
Opportunities to develop your experience across SEN, SEMH and mainstream education.
Consideration for suitable roles in specialist schools, mainstream primary schools and PRUs.
The potential to progress into a permanent school-based position.

Interested?

If you have experience supporting pupils with SEN, SEMH needs or challenging behaviour and are looking for a rewarding, full-time opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today by submitting your full CV to Ortus Recruitment. Our team will review your experience and consider you for this Specialist Teaching Assistant vacancy, as well as any other suitable opportunities within our partnered SEN schools, mainstream primary schools and PRUs.

Apply for this position