Teaching Assistants looking for a change?

Love working with young people with SEN, but wondering what else you could do with your experience?  This could be a brilliant next step.

We’re recruiting Skills Coaches for a supported internship programme in Northampton, helping young people aged around 16–21 with autism, learning disabilities and other additional needs make the move from education into the world of work.

Rather than spending every day in a classroom, you’ll split your week between supporting learners in the centre and working alongside them in real workplaces.

What will you actually be doing?

You’ll typically support a small group of around 3–4 allocated learners, helping them develop the confidence, skills and independence to succeed at work. Your week could include:

Supporting a Tutor and learners in the classroom. Working 1:1 with a young person at their work placement. Helping them understand their role, routines and responsibilities. Acting as a bridge between the learner and their employer. Supporting learners with travel training, including using public transport independently. Helping young people build towards the ultimate goal – paid employment. Placements can include environments such as logistics, libraries, and local council settings, and will often run throughout the academic year.

Why might a Teaching Assistant love it?

You’ll still be using all the skills you've developed supporting young people with SEN – patience, communication, adaptability and understanding individual needs – but you'll be using them outside the traditional classroom environment too. You don't need previous job-coaching experience. That part can be taught. What matters is that you understand SEN and know how to support young people effectively.

There’s also genuine progression. People within this team have moved on to roles including Senior Skills Coach, Tutor, EHCP Coordinator and Employment Engagement Officer.

Hours are 37.5 per week, generally around 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm, although workplace days can vary depending on the learner's placement.

There are two permanent vacancies plus one 12-month fixed-term position, and interviews are taking place ASAP.

If you're a Teaching Assistant or SEN support professional thinking, “I love what I do, but I'm ready for something different,” this is well worth a conversation.

Please apply via this advert – we aim to respond to everyone. If you haven’t heard back within 72 hours, please complete the “Send Us A Message” form on the Contact Us page of the Red 5 People website, and a member of the team will respond.

For more information, you can call the office and ask for Lawrence (number available on the Red 5 People website)