Physical Needs School Support Assistant

Physical Needs School Support Assistant – Secondary School

Location: Penarth, CF64 Daily Rate: £93 per day Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm Start Date: November 2026 Contract: Full-time, with the potential for a permanent school contract

About the Role

We are seeking a caring, patient and enthusiastic Physical Needs School Support Assistant to join a welcoming secondary school in Penarth, supporting pupils aged 11–16 with a range of physical needs.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone passionate about supporting young people to access their education, develop their independence and feel confident and included in school life.

The school has a specialist physical needs base where pupils can access physiotherapy and other rehabilitation support tailored to their individual needs. You will work closely with pupils and school staff to ensure that students receive the practical, educational and emotional support they need throughout the school day.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting pupils as they arrive at school, including assisting them off the school bus where required. Helping pupils move safely around the school and access their lessons. Providing physical support in line with individual needs, care plans and school procedures. Assisting with lesson-based interventions and supporting pupils to engage with their learning. Offering emotional support and encouragement to help pupils build confidence and independence. Supporting pupils with their learning across the secondary curriculum, including GCSE-level subjects. Working collaboratively with teachers, support staff and the specialist physical needs team. Promoting a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment where every pupil feels supported.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, reliable and genuinely keen to work with children and young people with physical needs.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

Experience supporting children or young people with physical disabilities or additional needs. Hoist training and/or manual handling experience. A patient, understanding and supportive approach to working with pupils. The confidence to assist with learning across the secondary curriculum, including GCSE level. Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. A commitment to promoting pupils' dignity, independence and wellbeing. Relevant experience is desirable but not essential. The school is willing to provide training for the right candidate, so we encourage applications from individuals who are enthusiastic about working in physical needs education and keen to develop their skills.

What the School Offers

A full-time, Monday-to-Friday role with consistent hours. The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to pupils' education and daily lives. Experience working within a specialist physical needs provision. Training and professional development opportunities. The potential for a longer-term school contract, with pay negotiable depending on experience.

Apply Today

If you are a caring and motivated individual looking for a rewarding role supporting pupils with physical needs, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now to be considered for this full-time opportunity in Penarth, starting November 2026.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for 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.

Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with 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 all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.

For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website