Teaching Assistant Opportunity: Change Lives in Specialist SEN Education (Cranleigh, Surrey)

Are you driven by empathy, compassion, and a desire to make a real difference to young people's lives?

A highly respected, specialist educational provider in Cranleigh, Surrey, is seeking dedicated and resilient individuals to join its team as Teaching Assistants. This is an exceptional opportunity to build a rewarding career in Special Educational Needs (SEN) with full, accredited training provided.

The Role: What to Expect

This Teaching Assistant position is unlike a mainstream setting; it is a profound opportunity to facilitate therapy-based education for some of society's most vulnerable young people.

You will be supporting students aged 5 to 19 who have severe social communication difficulties, complex learning disabilities, and often challenging behaviours. Your primary focus will be to guide students through moments of frustration, anxiety, and emotional stress, helping them to manage their feelings and behaviour in a supportive environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting students individually and in groups to access their education.

• Working closely with an integrated therapy and education team.

• Assisting in the completion of essential student reports, records, medication forms, and risk assessments.

• Upholding physical and mental resilience while dynamically risk assessing challenging situations.

No prior experience in SEN is necessary, but a genuine passion for supporting others is essential.

Training and Benefits

We are committed to investing in your future, providing a clear path for career development in specialist education.

FeatureDetailAccredited TrainingA fully-funded 2-year Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship qualification and twice-weekly dedicated training sessions.Specialist TrainingComprehensive Team Teach positive behaviour support training as part of induction, refreshed annually.Salary & BonusActual salary ranging from £20000 - £23000 pa (pro-rata, term-time). Plus a £1,000 Recruitment & Retention Bonus (paid incrementally).Key BenefitsFree hot lunch during term time. Life Assurance and Medical Cashplan benefits (after qualifying period). Free on-site parking.WellbeingAccess to a 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Service for professional wellbeing and counselling support.

Ideal Candidate Qualities

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:

• Patience: The ability to adapt to the pace of each young person and remain calm in challenging situations.

• Resilience: The physical and mental stamina to manage complex and demanding student needs.

• Common Sense: The ability to work effectively in a team and dynamically risk-assess to ensure safety.

• Core Skills: Competency in literacy and numeracy (required for detailed record keeping).

Practical Details

• Location: Cranleigh, Surrey (based on a beautiful 23-acre semi-rural site, own transport is desirable).

• Contract: Full-Time/Part-Time considered. Term time only (39 weeks per year).

• Example Hours: 36 hours per week (e.g., Monday 08:30-16:00, Tuesday-Thursday 08:30-16:15, Friday 08:30-15:45).

If you are ready to start a truly rewarding career, please contact the recruitment team to request an application pack. We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates as applications are received, so early application is encouraged.

Join this School and embark on a rewarding career in SEN education! Your enthusiasm and dedication can make a significant impact on the lives of their pupils. Apply today or call Paul Hirchfield for more information on 01293 527416.

paul.hirchfield@randstadeducation.co.uk