PMLD & Complex Needs Teaching Assistant - Full Training Provided

Location: Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Pay: £100-£115 per day
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:00pm (5:00pm finish on Tuesdays)
Contract: Full-time, term-time only + INSET days,12-week temp-to-perm

Ready for a Career Change? Bring Your Care or Healthcare Experience into Education

Are you a Care Assistant, Healthcare Support Worker, Nursery Practitioner or someone with experience supporting people with additional needs? Looking for a rewarding career where your existing skills can make a real difference?

You could be exactly who this specialist school is looking for.

We are recruiting for a welcoming specialist SEND school in Burgess Hill, supporting college-aged pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex needs. The school is keen to welcome people from care, healthcare, nursery and support backgrounds, providing full specialist training and ongoing support to help you succeed.

No previous school experience is needed. If you have a caring nature, patience and a genuine passion for supporting others, this could be your opportunity to build a rewarding career in education.

The Role - Making a Difference Every Day

You will work within a small, specialist classroom, supporting pupils with a range of complex learning, communication and physical needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting non-verbal pupils and wheelchair users with their daily needs.
• Encouraging communication through sensory activities, visual aids and individualised support.
• Providing personal care, including feeding, toileting and moving and handling, with full training provided.
• Supporting pupils' physical, emotional, social and developmental progress.
• Working closely with experienced teachers, therapists and other specialist staff.
• Creating a safe, calm and positive environment where every pupil feels supported and valued.

This is a hands-on, rewarding role where the smallest achievements can make the biggest difference.

Who We're Looking For

This opportunity is ideal for people looking to transfer their existing skills into a specialist education setting.

Relevant experience could include:

• Care Assistant or Healthcare Assistant
• Healthcare Support Worker or Rehabilitation Worker
• Residential Support Worker or Personal Care Assistant
• Nursery Nurse or Nursery Practitioner
• SEN Support Worker or Learning Disability Support Worker
• Experience supporting individuals with physical disabilities, complex needs or additional learning needs

You do not need to have worked in a school before. The school is looking for people who are compassionate, reliable, patient and comfortable providing hands-on support.

If you have experience with personal care, communication support, moving and handling or supporting vulnerable individuals, your skills could be a fantastic fit.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

A genuine career change: Transfer your care or healthcare experience into education without needing previous school experience.

Full specialist training: Develop your skills in PMLD, complex SEND, communication support, feeding, personal care and moving and handling.

A supportive environment: Work alongside experienced teachers, therapists and specialist colleagues in a small classroom setting.

Term-time working: Enjoy school holidays off, making this an attractive alternative to shift-based care or healthcare work.

A pathway to permanent employment: Start on a 12-week temp-to-perm contract, with the opportunity to secure a permanent position.

Career progression: Build specialist experience that could open doors to future opportunities in SEND education, teaching support, pastoral work or other specialist roles.

The Details

• Pay: £100-£115 per day
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:00pm (5:00pm finish on Tuesdays)
• Contract: Full-time, term-time only plus INSET days
• Contract type: 12-week temp-to-perm
• Start date: ASAP, with trial days approaching
• Location: Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Please note: All appointments are subject to the successful completion of the required compliance checks.

Interested in Making the Move into Education?

If you are currently working in care, healthcare, nursery or support work and are looking for a new direction, this is an opportunity to put your existing experience to meaningful use.

You will receive the training, guidance and support needed to develop your skills while helping pupils build their confidence, independence and communication.

Apply today to find out more about this opportunity and explore how your experience could transfer into a specialist SEND school.

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.