Autism & Mental Health Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant - Autism & Mental Health Support (Secondary School)

Ideal for Psychology Graduates | SEN | Autism | Anxiety | Behaviour Support

Specialist Autism Base in Barry - Secondary School (CF62)

Monday-Friday

08:10am-3:10pm

Term Time Only

£90 per day

Pay increase April 2026

February Start - July 2027 (Potential Permanent School Contract)

Are you a Teaching Assistant
, Psychology graduate
, or aspiring SEN / mental health professional looking for a meaningful, career-building role
?

We are recruiting a dedicated Teaching Assistant to work in a warm, supportive specialist Autism base within a secondary school. This role is perfect for someone passionate about autism, anxiety, mental health, emotional regulation, and behaviour support
.

You will be supporting two secondary-aged pupils with:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Severe anxiety and emotional needs
• Challenging behaviour linked to mental health
• Difficulty accessing mainstream lessons

The pupils require high levels of emotional, academic, and pastoral support in a low-stimulus, nurturing environment.

• Provide support to 2 pupils within the base
• Support pupils with mental health, anxiety management, and emotional regulation
• Deliver adapted curriculum work in partnership with subject teachers
• Liaise with teaching staff to gather lesson plans and learning materials
• Encourage engagement with learning at an individual pace
• Support life skills, independence, and social development
• Respond calmly and confidently to challenging behaviour
• Build trusted, consistent relationships with pupils who struggle in traditional classroom settings

• Teaching Assistants (Mainstream or SEN)
• Psychology Graduates
• Education, Youth Work, Criminology, or Mental Health graduates
• Individuals with experience supporting autism, anxiety, SEN, or behavioural needs

• Experience working with children or young people (school, SEN, care, or youth settings)
• Understanding of autism, anxiety, and mental health needs
• Calm, patient, and emotionally resilient
• Firm but kind approach to boundaries and behaviour management
• Passion for additional needs, SEN education, and child psychology
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

• ✨ Work in a specialist Autism provision
• ✨ Gain hands-on experience in mental health and SEN support
• ✨ Ideal stepping stone into Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, SEN teaching, or therapy roles
• ✨ Term-time only = great work-life balance
• ✨ Long-term role with potential permanent school contract

Interviews are being held at the school on Wednesday 4th February
.

Start date:

ASAP once vetting checks cleared
.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ's on the Teaching Personnel website for details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday.