Teaching Assistant

Location: Bowburn

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work! Position:
Teaching Assistant

Location:

Strawberry Lane School, Durham, DH6 5BE

Hours:

37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday Salary: £22,160.62 per annum ( not pro rata )

Contract:

Permanent | Term Time Only Start:
October 2026 UK applicants only – no sponsorship available About the Role At Strawberry Lane School, we’re looking for an experienced and confident Teaching Assistant with a strong background supporting children and young people with Complex Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). This is an opportunity for someone who already understands the rewards and challenges of specialist education and can bring the knowledge, confidence and resilience needed to provide high-quality, individualised support from day one.

You’ll work closely with teachers, therapists and pastoral colleagues to understand each pupil’s communication, sensory, emotional and learning needs. Using your experience, you’ll help pupils regulate, engage with education, develop independence and make meaningful progress at their own pace. We’re looking for someone who can recognise when a pupil needs encouragement, when an approach needs adapting and when providing calm, consistent support can prevent a challenging situation from escalating.

For an experienced TA who wants to use their skills in a specialist environment where relationships, individual progress and positive outcomes really matter, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. What You'll Be Doing Provide high-quality 1:1, small-group and classroom support for pupils with Complex ASC and additional needs. Use your knowledge and experience to adapt support around individual communication, sensory, emotional and learning needs.

Support pupils with emotional regulation and behaviours that may challenge using calm, consistent and appropriate strategies. Work alongside teachers and therapists to implement personalised learning and support strategies. Build strong, trusting and appropriately boundaried relationships that help pupils feel safe and able to engage. Promote communication, independence, confidence, resilience and essential life skills. Recognise triggers, changes in presentation and barriers to engagement, responding proactively and sharing observations with the wider team.

Support learning beyond the classroom through practical activities, outdoor learning, enrichment and educational visits. Who we are looking for We’re Looking for Experience, Confidence and the Ability to Connect This role would suit an established Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or specialist support professional who has significant experience supporting children or young people with complex needs. You’ll need to:
Have strong, demonstrable experience supporting individuals with Complex ASC. Have experience working with children or young people with complex additional needs and/or behaviours that may challenge. Understand how autism can affect communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation and engagement with learning. Be confident implementing individualised strategies and adapting your approach when a pupil’s needs change. Be calm and resilient, with the ability to respond confidently and appropriately in challenging situations.

Have excellent relationship-building and communication skills. Be able to recognise and respond to individual behaviours, triggers and communication needs. Work confidently alongside teachers, therapists, pastoral colleagues and other professionals. Be proactive, reliable and able to use your initiative while working within agreed plans and approaches. Be committed to safeguarding and achieving the best possible outcomes for…