Unqualified Autism Teacher

Job Introduction

Lakeside School is seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate and committed Unqualified Autism Teacher to join our Horizons Provision.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced education professional who has a strong understanding of autism and a genuine passion for supporting young people with additional needs. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering high-quality, personalised education and interventions to pupils within our specialist provision.

Working closely with the wider teaching and pastoral team, you will support pupils to develop academically, socially, emotionally and personally, helping them to build confidence, independence and the skills they need to succeed.

Although this is an unqualified teaching role, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate strong teaching practice, professional leadership and the ability to adapt learning to meet individual needs.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Plan and deliver engaging, structured and appropriately differentiated learning activities for pupils with autism and additional needs.
• Deliver direct teaching to small groups and individual pupils, adapting teaching approaches according to individual learning profiles.
• Support pupils to develop communication, social, emotional and independence skills alongside their academic learning.
• Use a range of autism-informed strategies to reduce barriers to learning and promote engagement.
• Monitor pupil progress and contribute to assessment, recording and review processes.
• Work closely with teachers and other professionals to ensure consistency of approach across the provision.
• Contribute to the development and review of individualised learning programmes and EHCP outcomes.

Interventions

• Coordinate and deliver targeted interventions based on individual pupil needs.
• Identify barriers to learning and work with colleagues to develop appropriate strategies and interventions.
• Monitor the impact of interventions and maintain accurate records of progress.
• Support the implementation of communication, regulation, social skills, emotional wellbeing and independence programmes.
• Evaluate interventions regularly and make recommendations for adapting provision where appropriate.

Team Leadership

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to a small team of support staff.
• Allocate responsibilities and ensure staff understand individual pupil needs and agreed strategies.
• Model effective practice and support colleagues to develop their confidence and skills.
• Promote consistency in approaches, routines, boundaries and expectations.
• Contribute to team meetings, reflective practice and professional development.
• Work collaboratively with the wider school leadership team and specialist staff.

Autism-Informed Practice

• Develop a strong understanding of each pupil’s individual profile, strengths, needs and interests.
• Promote a calm, predictable and nurturing learning environment.
• Understand and respond appropriately to sensory, communication and emotional regulation needs.
• Use positive, relational and trauma-informed approaches to support behaviour and engagement.
• Promote pupil voice, choice, dignity and independence.

The Successful Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children or young people with autism and/or additional needs.
• Has experience of delivering structured learning or interventions.
• Is confident working with small groups and individual pupils.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can demonstrate strong classroom and behaviour-management skills.
• Is able to lead, motivate and support a small team.
• Is organised and able to coordinate multiple interventions and priorities.
• Has high expectations of pupils while recognising and responding to individual needs.
• Is reflective, resilient and committed to developing their own practice.
• Has a genuine passion for improving outcomes for young people with autism and additional needs.

Previous experience within a specialist school, autism provision, SEMH setting, alternative provision or similar environment would be highly desirable.

A relevant qualification in education, autism, SEN or a related area would be advantageous but is not essential. We are particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate strong practical experience and the ability to develop into an effective specialist teacher.

What We Can Offer

• The opportunity to play a key role within a developing specialist provision.
• A supportive and collaborative school environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and specialist autism training.
• Opportunities to develop leadership experience.
• Support to develop teaching and specialist SEN practice.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives and educational outcomes of young people.
• A role with scope to develop and progress within the provision.

Safeguarding

Lakeside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment procedures, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

How to Apply

We would welcome applications from experienced teaching assistants, higher-level teaching assistants, instructors, tutors and other education professionals who feel they have the skills, experience and passion required for this role.

If you are passionate about autism, have high expectations of young people and are ready to take the next step in your education career, we would love to hear from you.

email : adminoffice@lakeside.hants.sch.uk

Tel: 02380 266633

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.