SPECIAL SCHOOL SUPPORT ASSISTANT

<p><strong>Special School Support Assistant - Secondary (Portsmouth)</strong></p><p></p><p>A specialist secondary SEN school in Portsmouth is seeking calm, patient, and resilient Special School Support Assistants to join their dedicated team. The school supports pupils aged 11-16 with a wide range of complex needs, including autism, learning difficulties, sensory processing differences, communication challenges, and barriers that affect emotional regulation and engagement.</p><p></p><p>The school also welcomes applications from staff seeking flexible work, including day-to-day, short-term, and long-term supply opportunities-ideal for those wanting varied experience within a nurturing SEN environment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p><ul><li>Providing personalised support to pupils with autism, sensory needs, communication differences, and complex learning profiles</li><li>Supporting young people who may experience anxiety, emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, or difficulties with transitions, routines, and social interactions</li><li>Encouraging engagement through practical, creative, therapeutic, and differentiated learning activities suited to secondary-age learners</li><li>Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour throughout the school day</li><li>Supporting pupils with communication, emotional regulation, social understanding, independence, and life-skills development</li><li>Building trusting, consistent relationships using calm, clear, and supportive communication</li><li>Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, pastoral teams, and external professionals to deliver holistic, person-centred support</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Contract Details</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Location:</strong> Portsmouth</li><li><strong>Position:</strong> Special School Support Assistant</li><li><strong>Start Date:</strong> September 2026</li><li><strong>Contract Type:</strong> Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available; ad-hoc supply roles also offered</li><li><strong>Working Hours:</strong> 08:30am - 15:30pm</li><li><strong>Pay Rate:</strong> From £14.25 per hour</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Requirements</strong></p><p>You must:</p><ul><li>Have the Right to Work in the UK</li><li>Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply)</li><li>Provide professional references covering the last 24 months</li><li>Hold a Level 2/3 qualification in childcare, education, or health & social care <strong>or</strong> have relevant SEN experience supporting young people with complex needs</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>What We Offer</strong></p><ul><li>Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour support, and de-escalation</li><li>Access to a specialist in-house Training & Development Team</li><li>Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant</li><li>A warm, inclusive school environment with strong staff culture and opportunities for progression</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Refer a Friend</strong></p><p>Know someone who would thrive in a specialist SEN setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation (T&Cs apply).</p><img src="https://www.jobg8.com/Tracking.aspx?tnOcX87vYBsbNA%2bQx1zaNWX0GWiRq%2bLCp" width="0" height="0" />