SEN Teaching Assistant – St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Up to 10 hours per week | Monday to Friday | Start as soon as possible
Inspire EHC is seeking a calm, patient and reliable SEN Teaching Assistant to support a Year 4 learner receiving personalised tuition in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Working alongside the tutor, you will help the learner feel safe, regulate anxiety, engage positively with learning and develop confidence in a low-pressure community setting.
About the learner and provision
The learner has a confirmed diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome. He is awaiting assessment for autism and ADHD and experiences severe anxiety, frequent tics, speech blocking, fatigue, communication difficulties and challenges with emotional regulation. Tuition will complement his existing outdoor alternative provision. Initial sessions may take place at the family home before moving to a suitable community venue.
SEN Teaching Assistant Key responsibilities
- Work alongside the tutor to provide consistent one-to-one support during curriculum-based sessions.
- Help establish predictable routines and prepare a calm, welcoming learning environment.
- Support emotional regulation using relational, trauma-informed and low-arousal approaches.
- Respond sensitively to tics, speech blocking, fatigue, sensory needs and changes in presentation.
- Encourage communication, confidence, independence and positive engagement without creating unnecessary pressure.
- Use the learner’s interests and strengths to support motivation and participation.
- Record engagement, wellbeing and progress clearly, sharing relevant observations with the tutor and wider team.
- Follow safeguarding, risk-assessment and lone-working procedures at all times.
About you
You will be a compassionate and resilient support professional who understands that trust and engagement may need to develop gradually. You will be able to remain calm, follow the lead of the tutor and adapt your communication and expectations to the learner’s needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Essential requirements
- Experience supporting primary-aged children or young people with SEND.
- Understanding of anxiety-based school avoidance and barriers to learning.
- Knowledge of autism, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome or communication and sensory needs.
- A patient, flexible and child-centred approach.
- Strong communication, observation and professional recording skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with the tutor, family and involved professionals.
- Ability to travel within the St Ives area and work flexibly across the school week.
- An enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to obtain one, together with satisfactory references and compliance checks.
Apply now
If you are an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant who can provide calm, consistent and encouraging support, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short supporting statement outlining your relevant experience.
Inspire EHC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, identity and right-to-work verification and satisfactory references. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates.