PMLD Teaching Assistant - Specialist SEND School

Location: Croydon, South London
Pay: £90-£100 per day
Contract: Full-time, term time only
Start: ASAP / September 2026

Looking for a career change?

Do you currently work in care, healthcare, nursery, support work or another hands-on role and are looking for a change?

Your existing experience could transfer really well into a specialist SEND school.

NextGen Teachers are looking for a caring and reliable PMLD Teaching Assistant to join a supportive specialist school in Croydon, working with pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), complex needs and physical disabilities.

You don't necessarily need previous school experience. What matters most is that you're comfortable providing hands-on support, patient, caring and genuinely want to make a difference to children and young people.

About the Role

You'll work as part of a supportive team of teachers, Teaching Assistants and specialist professionals, helping pupils access learning and enjoy their time at school.

The pupils include non-verbal children and young people and wheelchair users, with a range of complex physical, medical and learning needs.

Your role will include:

• Supporting pupils with PMLD, complex SEND and physical disabilities
• Working with non-verbal pupils and wheelchair users
• Supporting communication, sensory activities and learning
• Helping pupils engage with classroom activities
• Providing personal and intimate care
• Supporting PEG/gastrostomy feeding following appropriate training
• Assisting with moving and handling where required
• Following individual care and learning plans
• Building positive and trusting relationships with pupils
• Working closely with teachers, therapists and specialist staff
• Helping create a calm, safe and supportive classroom environment

This is a hands-on education and care role, so you must be comfortable with the personal-care side of the position.

Your Experience Could Transfer

This role could be particularly suited to people coming from:

• Nursery / Early Years
• Care Assistant roles
• Healthcare Assistant roles
• Support Work
• Residential Care
• Children's Services
• SEN Support
• Personal Care
• Rehabilitation or healthcare
• Other roles involving hands-on support

Experience with PMLD, SEND, physical disabilities, personal care, moving and handling or complex needs would be beneficial, but full training and support can be provided.

If you're used to supporting people with their day-to-day needs, building relationships and providing patient, hands-on care, these skills can transfer very well into a school environment.

Why Consider a Move Into Education?

Moving into a specialist school can give you the opportunity to use the skills you already have in a different environment, while working Monday-Friday during term time.

You'll be supported by experienced staff and receive training around the specialist needs of the pupils, including SEND, PMLD, communication, personal care and moving and handling.

You don't need to have everything figured out before you apply - we're happy to speak to people who are considering a genuine career change and want to find out whether specialist education could be right for them.

What You'll Get

• £90.00-£95.00 per day
• Full-time, term-time working
• Supportive specialist SEND school
• High staff-to-pupil ratio
• Full SEND/PMLD training
• Ongoing training and CPD
• Support from experienced teachers and specialist staff
• Dedicated support from NextGen Teachers

If you're currently working in care, nursery, healthcare, support work or another people-focused role and are ready for a change, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this PMLD Teaching Assistant opportunity in Croydon.

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.