Complex Needs Teacher

Job Title: Complex Needs Teacher

Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm

Salary: Up to £41,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata) + Travel allowance

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: September 2026

Eligibility: UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

Do you believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face? Are you a creative, resilient and compassionate teacher who thrives on making a genuine difference? We're looking for an exceptional Complex Needs Teacher to join our dedicated team, delivering personalised, engaging and meaningful learning experiences for pupils with complex Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is more than a teaching role—it’s an opportunity to transform lives. You’ll work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team to create a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment where every pupil is encouraged to build confidence, develop independence and celebrate success.

• Plan and deliver creative, personalised and engaging lessons that inspire every learner to achieve their potential.
• Create a calm, inclusive and nurturing classroom where pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.
• Adapt teaching to meet a wide range of communication, learning and emotional needs using differentiated approaches and experiential learning.
• Assess, monitor and celebrate pupil progress through Evidence for Learning and other assessment tools.
• Work as a Form Tutor, leading Annual Review and EHCP meetings, building strong relationships with families and external professionals.
• Lead and support a team of Teaching Assistants, ensuring therapeutic strategies and personalised learning plans are implemented consistently.
• Promote positive behaviour through proactive, therapeutic and restorative approaches.
• Work collaboratively with therapists, parents, carers and the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.

• QTS required.
• Believes every child can achieve and has high aspirations for all learners.
• Is creative, adaptable and able to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences.
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Can confidently support pupils with complex learning needs, communication differences and behaviours that challenge.
• Has excellent classroom management skills and uses positive behaviour support strategies.
• Driving licence required.
• Previous experience within a specialist SEN setting desirable but not essential.

Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils aged 5‑19 with complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs. Our school adopts a holistic, person‑centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.

• Life Assurance Pension scheme with options to increase contributions.
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks.
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits.
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts.
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme.
• Critical illness cover.
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support.