Autism Teaching Assistant

Autism Teaching Assistant | Peterlee | Full Time

Location: Peterlee and surrounding areas
Job Type: Full Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: 8:30am–3:30pm / 4:00pm
Pay: Competitive daily rate, dependent on experience

Help pupils feel understood, supported and ready to learn.

Protocol Education are recruiting for an enthusiastic and compassionate Autism Teaching Assistant to support pupils within a specialist or mainstream SEND provision in the Peterlee area.

This is an incredibly rewarding role for someone who understands the importance of consistency, communication and individualised support when working with autistic pupils.

Your Role

You could be supporting pupils on a 1:1 or small-group basis, helping them to:

• Access classroom learning.
• Understand instructions.
• Develop communication skills.
• Manage transitions.
• Develop social interaction.
• Regulate emotions.
• Manage sensory needs.
• Build confidence.
• Develop independence.
• Engage positively with peers.
• Participate in wider school activities.

You may also:

• Use visual timetables and personalised resources.
• Support pupils with changes to routine.
• Provide reassurance during challenging moments.
• Reinforce positive behaviour.
• Adapt activities to suit individual needs.
• Support pupils during break and lunchtime.
• Work closely with teachers and the SENCO.
• Contribute observations about progress and behaviour.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be:

• Patient and empathetic.
• Calm and reassuring.
• Consistent in their approach.
• Excellent at building relationships.
• Adaptable and observant.
• Comfortable supporting pupils who may become distressed or dysregulated.
• Passionate about Autism and SEND.
• A strong team player.

Previous experience supporting Autism/ASC, communication needs, sensory needs or complex SEND would be highly desirable.

However, transferable experience from care, residential work, youth work, psychology, childcare or support work would also be considered.

Driving Is Ideally Wanted

A driving licence and access to a vehicle would be a big advantage for Peterlee and the surrounding areas, particularly where public transport options are limited.

It is not essential , however, and accessibility to the individual school will be considered.

Why Protocol Education?

• Competitive daily pay.
• Weekly PAYE pay.
• FREE CPD and online training.
• Autism and SEND training.
• Dedicated education consultant.
• Long-term and permanent opportunities.
• Ongoing support.
• £50 Refer a Friend bonus.

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.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

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