Complex Needs Teaching Assistant | SEND | Gateshead

Location: Gateshead
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–3:30pm / 4:30pm
Pay: £98–£120 per day, dependent on experience

Could you be the consistent support a pupil needs to thrive?

Protocol Education are recruiting for a caring, patient and resilient Complex Needs Teaching Assistant to join a specialist SEND school in Gateshead.

The school supports pupils with a range of complex and additional needs, providing a structured and nurturing environment where every pupil is encouraged to develop their communication, independence and confidence.

This is a role where small steps can be huge achievements — from communicating for the first time, managing a transition, becoming more independent or successfully engaging in an activity.

Your Responsibilities

You will support pupils with a range of needs, which may include:

• Autism/ASC
• Severe and moderate learning difficulties
• Speech, language and communication needs
• Sensory processing needs
• Complex learning needs
• Physical and additional needs
• SEMH and emotional regulation difficulties

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support
• Supporting pupils to access personalised learning
• Encouraging communication and social interaction
• Supporting sensory regulation
• Developing independence and life skills
• Helping pupils manage transitions and routines
• Promoting positive behaviour
• Following individual support and care plans
• Using personalised communication strategies
• Supporting classroom-based activities
• Working closely with teachers and other professionals
• Observing and recording pupil progress
• Supporting pupils during break and lunchtime

What We're Looking For

You don't need to be a qualified teacher. We're looking for someone who is:

• Patient, compassionate and understanding
• Resilient and calm under pressure
• Adaptable to different pupils and situations
• Confident working as part of a team
• Comfortable supporting pupils with complex needs
• Positive and consistent in their approach
• Passionate about helping children and young people reach their potential

Previous experience within SEND, education, care, residential care, support work, nursing or youth work would be advantageous.

Drivers Welcome

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a bonus, particularly for candidates who can travel easily around Gateshead and surrounding areas.

Why Work with Protocol Education?

• £98–£120 per day
• Weekly PAYE pay
• FREE CPD and online SEND training
• Dedicated SEND consultant
• Long-term and permanent opportunities
• Ongoing support throughout your placement
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus

If you're resilient, caring and passionate about making a difference to pupils with complex needs, we'd love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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