Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant (Positive Play/Support Worker)JobsGoPublic

Swanwick School & Sports College is an ‘Outstanding’ school providing an exciting and relevant education for young people with additional needs including Moderate and Severe Learning needs, social and emotional difficulties and ASD. Pupil ability ranges from pre key stage standards to working within the Primary Curriculum objectives. We also offer a variety of qualifications including GCSE where appropriate.

The Governors of Swanwick School & Sports College are looking to recruit a motivated and ambitious candidate to continue to drive forward the Positive Support provision across the school.

The successful applicant should have experience of implementing individual pupil support programmes, establishing effective working relationships with parents & carers and a proven track record of helping young people with complex needs make significant progress. It is also highly desirable that any applicant has a Positive Play/Support qualification or prepared to work towards achieving such a qualification.

The successful applicant will be answerable to the Governing Body, Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Positive Support Lead. The immediate line manager will be the Positive Support Lead.

As an integral part of the extended Pastoral Team the successful candidate will work closely alongside Positive Support Lead, Headteacher, Family Liaison Worker and Early Help Support Worker.

We expect the successful candidate to work with the SLT to determine training needs on a personal level, individual level and whole school level.

This role is vital in providing tailored support for pupils with a range of additional needs, helping them to feel safe, understood and ready to learn.

The post holder will demonstrate essential professional characteristics, and in particular will:

Have experience working with children with complex SEND, including communication and sensory needs

Engage and motivate pupils

Be confident or prepared to learn Makaton

Provide sensitive and respectful personal and intimate care, following individual care plans

Build trusting relationships that support emotional regulation and wellbeing

Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and families to create a consistent and caring environment

Promote positive behaviour and a safe inclusive ethos.

Improve the quality of pupils’ learning

Inspire trust and confidence in pupils and colleagues

Build team commitment with colleagues

Demonstrate empathy with and an appreciation of the needs of pupils

Provide additional support with activities at break and lunch times

Be committed to making a real difference to the lives of young people with special educational needs and their families/carers

Be able to offer skills and experience to add to our curriculum

Able to work across Key Stages 1, 2, 3 or 4 as required

Able to demonstrate strong literacy and numeracy skills

Able to assist pupils in managing personal care

We offer: -

A warm, nurturing school community where every child is valued

The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children who need it most

A shared moral commitment to secure the best outcomes for all pupils

An opportunity to work with talented and committed staff

Access to the School Advisory Service

Support from a forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team

Professional Development with extensive CPD opportunities

Having maintained our Outstanding rating given by Ofsted we need applicants who are able to add to our provision and demonstrate and support our school vision of Enjoy, Achieve, Exceed.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact the school office on: - 01773 602198 to arrange an appointment.

Provisional Interview Date: Friday 11December 2026.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.