SEN Support Worker; PDA Aware Term-Time

Freedom Care has been supplying staff for 25 years. At Freedom Children's Support Care we are passionate about meeting the needs of the many different clients we work with. All our services are fine tuned to meet the needs and requirements of each specific family, child or young person.

We are recruiting two experienced SEN Support Workers to support 12-year-old twin boys with Autism (PDA profile). This is a term-time only role, with additional planned hours during school holidays for short breaks.

This work requires a calm, confident, relationship-led approach. You must understand why PDA responses happen and be skilled in supporting autonomy, reducing perceived demands, and helping a child feel emotionally safe.

Bovington and Portland, Dorset

• Tuesday – 9:00am to 4:00pm
• Wednesday – 9:00am to 4:00pm
• Friday – 9:00am to 1:00pm

• Planned short break sessions during school holidays (agreed in advance)

You will support each child individually, including morning routines, travel to their alternative provision, time spent at the provision, and community-based activities. The work is grounded in reducing anxiety, supporting co‑regulation and building genuine trust.

• Level 3 minimum in Health & Social Care, Childcare, Education, Youth Work or equivalent
• Proven experience supporting children with PDA (not just Autism in general)
• Skilled in PDA-supportive approaches such as:
  • Low-demand communication
  • Collaborative and choice-based negotiation
  • Supporting agency and emotional safety
  • Understanding anxiety-led behaviour patterns
• Additional relevant training desirable (PACE, PBS, Trauma-Informed Practice, NVR, etc.)
• Must be a driver with your own vehicle
• Calm, patient, emotionally regulated and able to build safe, attuned relationships

• £18.00 per hour for all direct support hours (including travel with the child on board)
• 45p per mile during support hours
• Travel to/from the family home:
  • First 30 minutes / 15 miles each way is standard commute
  • Beyond that: £13.70 per hour travel time + 45p per mile