Specialist Autism Teacher - Primary​/Complex Needs

A specialist teaching opportunity working with younger autistic pupils and complex communication and developmental needs.

• Contract: Permanent, full-time
• Salary: MPS/UPS + SEN Allowance
• Start: January 2027 or as soon as possible

For some children, learning to communicate a need, engage with an activity or feel comfortable within a familiar routine represents a significant achievement.

These are the milestones that matter in this classroom.

LTE Search is working with a well-established maintained specialist school in Hackney to appoint a qualified and experienced Autism / SEND Teacher to work with younger pupils with complex developmental, communication and sensory needs.

The children are at an early stage of development. Some are pre-verbal and require significant, individualised support with communication, engagement, routines and emotional regulation.

This is a role for a teacher who already understands specialist autism education: someone who can interpret individual needs, adapt learning creatively and use their experience to help children communicate, participate and develop greater independence.

You’ll take responsibility for teaching a group of younger autistic pupils, planning and delivering highly personalised learning that reflects their developmental stages, communication abilities and EHCP outcomes.

Teaching will involve much more than adapting a conventional primary curriculum. You’ll need to understand how individual pupils communicate, create meaningful opportunities for engagement and use appropriate strategies to support learning, regulation and independence.

Communication is central to the role. You’ll need to be confident using and developing approaches such as visual supports, signing, total communication and alternative communication systems to help pupils express themselves, understand routines and engage with learning. Experience supporting non-speaking and pre-verbal children will be particularly valuable.

You’ll work closely with teaching assistants and other professionals to provide consistent, structured support throughout the school day.

This is also a hands‑on role. Personal care is an integral part of the provision, including supporting pupils with toileting and feeding.

• Use your specialist expertise: Work with pupils whose communication, developmental and sensory needs require genuinely individualised teaching.
• Focus on meaningful progress: Help children develop communication, engagement, confidence and independence.
• Put relationships at the centre: Build the understanding and trust that enable pupils to feel safe and participate in learning.
• Develop your practice: Work within a specialist environment where creative approaches and personalised learning are central.
• Make a tangible difference: See the impact of your teaching in the everyday achievements that matter most to each child.

We’re keen to hear from experienced specialist teachers who understand autism and have worked directly with pupils with complex communication and developmental needs.

You’ll bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - essential.
• Demonstrable teaching experience within a specialist autism or comparable SEND setting.
• Experience supporting autistic pupils with complex communication and developmental needs.
• Practical experience supporting pre‑verbal and non‑speaking autistic pupils, using appropriate communication strategies.
• Confidence adapting learning to different developmental stages and individual EHCP outcomes.
• Confidence using approaches such as visual…