sen teaching assistant.

SEN Teaching Assistant - Cambridge & Surrounding Areas

Are you a patient, resilient, and compassionate individual looking to make a genuine difference in the lives of children with complex needs? Whether you are seeking the complete freedom and flexibility of day-to-day cover, or looking for the rewarding continuity and deep connection of a long-term position, we have fantastic opportunities tailored to your availability.

We are currently partnering with a welcoming network of specialist SEN schools, alternative provisions, and inclusion units in Cambridge and the surrounding areas. We are experiencing high demand for empathetic Teaching Assistants to support pupils across primary, secondary, and post-16 age groups with a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Whether you have extensive SEN experience, a background in care, support work, psychology, or youth work, or are a graduate looking to build experience towards an educational or clinical career, we can help you find your ideal role.

Choose Your Ideal Way of Working:

• Day-to-Day Cover: Enjoy complete control over your working week with total flexibility. Choose the exact days you want to work to perfectly balance your personal commitments, family life, or studies while gaining varied experience across different SEN provisions in Cambridge.
• Long-Term Opportunities: For those seeking routine and the opportunity to build deep, trusting relationships with children and staff teams, we offer long-term placements spanning a term or a full academic year. These roles allow you to closely support student progress and become a core part of a specialist school community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide empathetic, 1:1 or small-group support to children and young people with needs such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Moderate/Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD/SLD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).
• Support class teachers in delivering adapted, sensory-aware learning activities, helping keep pupils focused, regulated, and safe.
• Utilise alternative communication strategies (such as PECS, Makaton, or visual schedules) to support non-verbal or minimally verbal pupils.
• Assist with emotional regulation, sensory needs, and positive behaviour management, using gentle de-escalation techniques when required.
• Assist with personal care duties where applicable (hygiene, changing, and feeding support), always upholding student dignity and independence.
• Help create a secure, calm, and nurturing classroom environment where every child feels valued.

What We Look For:

• Previous experience supporting individuals with SEN, or a background in care, mental health, youth work, or early childhood support.
• A warm, resilient, and patient personality with an adaptable approach to challenging or complex situations.
• Willingness and confidence to support personal care needs where required.
• Knowledge or training in SEN methodologies (e.g., Makaton, PECS, Moving & Handling, or Team-Teach) is advantageous but not essential.
• A valid Enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to complete one).

Benefits of Working With Us:

• Competitive daily rates of pay, processed weekly and reflective of your experience level.
• A dedicated local consultant with deep knowledge of the specialist SEN education sector in Cambridge.
• Complete flexibility to set and update your availability on your own terms.
• Access to ongoing safeguarding and specialised SEN training opportunities.
• Direct pathways to securing long-term contracts or direct permanent employment in top local provisions.

Ready to make a real impact in specialist education in Cambridge?

Step into rewarding SEN support opportunities today.

How to Apply: Please forward your CV and a brief introduction to View email address on randstad.com or call Show phone number for a friendly, informal chat about our active SEN Teaching Assistant roles in Cambridge.

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates will be required to undergo comprehensive vetting, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.