PMLD Teaching Assistant

Every small step is a huge achievement.

Some pupils measure success differently. For some children, maintaining eye contact, responding to sensory input, or communicating a need is a major milestone. If you are patient, caring and passionate about supporting children with complex needs, this role could be incredibly rewarding.

A specialist SEN provision in South Shields is seeking a dedicated PMLD Teaching Assistant to support pupils aged 4-11 who have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, complex medical needs and significant physical disabilities.

This is a highly supportive environment where staff work together to ensure every child has access to learning, communication and sensory experiences.

The Type of Person They Are Looking For

The school is looking for individuals who are naturally compassionate and willing to learn the specialist skills required to support pupils with complex needs.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Patient and calm in their approach
• Comfortable supporting pupils with physical and medical needs
• Attentive to non-verbal communication
• Able to build trusting relationships with vulnerable pupils
• Enthusiastic about sensory learning and interactive activities

Strong teamwork is essential as support staff work closely with teachers, therapists and healthcare professionals.

Experience Requirements

Previous SEN or care experience is desirable but not essential.

The school welcomes applicants who may be starting their career in specialist education and can appoint on a trainee support assistant scale where necessary.

Candidates from the following backgrounds often succeed in this role:

• Care or support work
• Childcare or nursery work
• Youth work
• Health and social care
• Psychology or education graduates

Full training will be provided in specialist areas.

Daily Expectations & Routine Morning Arrival

Students arrive between 8:45am and 9:15am.

Staff support pupils with:

• Transitions from transport into classrooms
• Settling routines
• Positioning equipment and specialist seating
• Preparing sensory learning resources

Morning routines are calm and structured to help pupils feel safe and ready for the day.

Classroom Support

PMLD learning focuses heavily on sensory exploration and communication development.

You may support pupils with:

• Sensory learning sessions
• Music and movement activities
• Cause-and-effect learning tasks
• Visual communication systems
• Early engagement with literacy and numeracy

Activities are carefully adapted so that pupils can participate in meaningful ways.

Physical Support and Personal Care

Due to the needs of the pupils, support staff will assist with personal care and physical support.

This may include:

• Supporting feeding and hydration
• Assisting with hygiene routines
• Helping with positioning and mobility equipment
• Supporting physiotherapy exercises

All training is provided to ensure staff feel confident and safe.

Lunchtime & Social Interaction

Lunchtime is an important social and sensory experience for pupils.

Staff support students with:

• Eating and feeding routines
• Communication during meals
• Relaxation or sensory play following lunch

The focus is always on encouraging interaction and engagement.

Behaviour & Communication

Many pupils communicate non-verbally.

Support staff are trained to recognise:

• Eye gaze
• Facial expressions
• Body movements
• Communication devices

Behaviour is usually linked to communication needs, so staff focus on understanding and responding to pupils' signals.

School Environment

The provision is specifically designed for pupils with complex needs.

Facilities include:

• Sensory rooms
• Hydrotherapy access
• Specialist equipment and therapy spaces
• Small class sizes with high staff ratios

The environment is calm, nurturing and highly supportive.

Development Opportunities

Staff are supported with ongoing training including:

• Moving and handling
• Safeguarding
• Communication strategies
• Autism awareness
• Behaviour support techniques

Many staff go on to specialise further in SEN support roles.

Overall Ethos

This setting believes every child deserves meaningful learning experiences, regardless of their level of need.

Staff celebrate every achievement, whether that is a new communication attempt or engagement in an activity.

The team is passionate, supportive and committed to providing the highest quality care and education.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a role where you can genuinely make a difference in children's lives, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact us to find out more about this PMLD Teaching Assistant role in South Shields.

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.

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