SEN Teaching Assistant

Job description / Role

Job overview

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

About the role

Enjoy a truly rewarding career in education and have a real impact on pupils’ lives. Join an amazing team dedicated to creating supportive, nurturing environments where children and young people achieve far more than they ever imagined.

As a teaching assistant, you’ll:

• Work directly with our pupils, helping them get the very best from their education.
• Support learners with varied and complex needs, tailoring your approach to each individual.
• Help prepare resources and run classroom activities with hands-on involvement.
• Take responsibility for pupils’ emotional and physical wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and encouraged.
• Assist with activities both inside and outside the classroom, from structured lessons to outdoor learning experiences.

Every day will bring new challenges and rewards, and you’ll be supported by a strong, experienced team who are always ready to share guidance and encouragement.

Who we're looking for

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Adaptable and ready to take on a variety of classroom roles.
• Caring and responsive, able to support pupils’ individual learning journeys.
• Team-focused, with a willingness to learn from colleagues and share your own skills.
• Excited to make a difference in the lives of autistic children and young people with complex needs.

Previous experience in a school or care setting is helpful, but not essential — what matters most is your enthusiasm, resilience, and commitment.

About us

Papworth Hall School is a specialist provision for up to 30 autistic children and young people aged 5–16. Located in the picturesque village of Papworth, within easy reach of Huntingdon and Cambridge, we provide a supportive and nurturing environment for pupils with complex communication needs, autism, and associated learning and emotional needs.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.