SEN Teaching Assistant

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.

Job Title: SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: 3 Dimensions School, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3AJ
Salary: £23,638.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: December 2025
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

Due to the rural location of the school and limited access to public transport, a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential.

As part of our continued growth, we’re delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for a SEN Teaching Assistant to join the close-knit, supportive team at 3 Dimensions School, located in the beautiful rural surroundings of Chard, Somerset.

We’ve recently entered an exciting new phase of development, with further growth planned into 2025. This expansion offers excellent opportunities for career progression, ongoing professional development, and the chance to be part of a passionate, evolving organisation that puts young people at the centre of everything we do.

About the Role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a key role in helping pupils with autism and other learning differences access meaningful education. Working closely with class teachers, you’ll support children and young people with a range of needs, helping them to develop confidence, independence, and key life skills.

You’ll assist with the delivery of tailored lessons, provide 1:1 or small group support, and help to create a learning environment that is calm, structured, and inclusive. Your role will also involve supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing and providing practical help with everyday routines.

Every day will be different — and every day you’ll be making a real difference.

Key Responsibilities:

- Supporting individual pupils or small groups under the direction of teaching staff
- Assisting with the preparation and delivery of learning activities and resources
- Helping to create a classroom environment that is inclusive, engaging and safe
- Promoting positive behaviour and emotional regulation in line with the school’s values
- Providing pastoral care and supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of pupils
- Supporting with personal care needs where required (training provided)
- Accompanying pupils on off-site trips, outdoor learning activities, and community visits
- Contributing to observation and reporting systems to track pupil progress
- Collaborating with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to meet each pupil’s EHCP goals

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for compassionate, flexible, and dedicated individuals who genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable pupils.

Essential:

- Previous experience working in a school, care, or support environment
- A positive, proactive attitude and a genuine interest in SEN education
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively to challenging behaviour
- Willingness to work flexibly, both indoors and outdoors
- Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle

Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.

About Us

3 Dimensions School is in an exciting phase of growth and development. With not just one, but two school sites Resulting in a far wider offer of educational places, and a wealth of opportunities for young people with SEN (i.e., Learning difficulties, speech, language and communication difficulties, Autism, ADHD, SEMH, PDA, Attachment Disorder, and young people who have experienced previous trauma).

3 Dimensions School is an Options Autism School, within the Outcomes First Group. We are an inclusive, forward-thinking school, who embrace diversity.

This opportunity is within commutable distance of Chard, Ilminster, Honiton and surrounding areas.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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 and vulnerable young adults 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 the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. 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
- 100’s 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.

*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

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.

#1