Key Role Information

Salary
£28,598.00 - 31,022.00
Job type
Part Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
03/09/2026 12:00
Interview
10 September 2026
Contract term
TTO - Term time only
Pay grade
Blackpool Support Payscale | SCP 12 - SCP 17
Department
SEND
Key stage
Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
33.00
Weeks per year
44.870
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

We are seeking passionate, dedicated and resilient SEND Teaching Assistants to join our growing team at The Maple School, Blackpool a specialist provision for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Supporting students from Years 5 to 11, our purpose-built school provides an inclusive and nurturing environment where every young person is empowered to learn, thrive and achieve their potential.

At The Maple School, we recognise that every child has a unique journey. Our pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and benefit from a bespoke curriculum that combines academic learning, meaningful qualifications and therapeutic interventions designed to overcome barriers to education and personal development.

About the Role

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting our pupils both inside and outside the classroom. Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff and therapists, you will help create engaging learning experiences, build positive relationships and support pupils to develop confidence, independence and emotional resilience.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for individuals who:

  1. Have experience of supporting children and young people with SEND, particularly SEMH needs.
  2. Demonstrate a strong understanding of barriers to learning and strategies to promote engagement and progress.
  3. Are patient, empathetic and committed to helping every child succeed.
  4. Build positive, professional relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
  5. Bring enthusiasm, creativity and energy to their work.
  6. Are resilient, proactive and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
  7. Share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Why Join The Maple School?

  1. Be part of a supportive and highly skilled team.
  2. Work in a purpose-built specialist setting.
  3. Access high-quality training and professional development opportunities.
  4. Benefit from a Trust-wide commitment to staff wellbeing and career progression.
  5. Make a genuine difference to the lives and future opportunities of young people every day.

If you are passionate about supporting young people with additional needs and are ready to be part of an ambitious and caring school community, we would love to hear from you.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. To arrange a tour, please contact the school office and experience first-hand the unique learning environment and opportunities available at The Maple School.

Qualifications

Level 3 qualification in relevant discipline such as Health and Social Care, Childcare and Education, etc essential
Pass
Minimum requirement level 2 Functional Skills or GCSE English Grade C/4essential
Grade 4 or equivalent

Skills

Experience

To be involved in the process of differentiating activities to match pupil needsessential
Guide and support pupils in their personal, emotional and social development; essential
Knowledge of effective behaviour management strategies.essential
Supervise individuals and groups of pupils throughout the day, including supervision in the classroom, playground and dining areas; essential

Personal Attributes

Commitment to the development and maintenance of good relationships with staff, parents, pupils, governors and the community.essential
Provide specialist support to pupils with learning, behavioural, communication, social, sensory or physical difficulties; This may include toileting and changing pupils where appropriate.essential
Assist with break-time supervision including facilitating games and activities;essential
To plan, carry out and evaluate specific interventionsessential
Contribute to the creation of Individual Education plans and behaviour plans and support teachers in monitoring and providing evidence showing progress towards EHC plan targets, for identified pupilsessential
Ability to Implement planned learning activities for individuals and groups of pupils under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher;essential

The Maple School

Karen Marlow

info@maple.seteducation.org.uk

Langdale Road,
Blackpool
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 4RR

Safeguarding Information

Introduction

Synergy Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its schools. The Trust complies with the statutory legislative requirements and guidance that seeks to protect children, including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Safer Recruitment

Job descriptions and person specifications make reference to safeguarding and child protection. All posts are subject to satisfactory completion of enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate (DBS) checks. All advertisements include a safeguarding statement and commitment.

Application Stage

All applicants are scrutinised to verify identity and academic qualifications, Professional references are requested using our standard pro forma for short listed candidates. As a minimum, references should be from the two most recent employers. References are checked against previous employment history and gaps in employment. Professional references must be obtained from work email addresses. Our standard reference proforma makes reference to suitability to work with children and young people. The application form require applicants to complete a disclosure of any criminal convictions.

Short listing

Only those candidates meeting the criteria outlined in the person specification will be short listed. All short

listed candidates will be subject to an online search as part of our safer recruitment due diligence.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will take part in an interview and selection process. Candidates will be asked to address any discrepancies or gaps in their employment history. Candidates will be reminded of their responsibility to disclose any criminal convictions if they have not already done so. Proof of identity, qualifications and right to work in the UK must also be provided at interview.

Appointment

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) will be required for all appointed posts. Other pre employment compliance checks will be carried out. This post is subject to satisfactory references which will be requested prior to interview, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, online searches, medical check, evidence of qualifications plus verification of the right to work in the UK. For teaching positions, barred list checks and prohibition from teaching checks will also be carried out. For leadership positions, section 128 checks will be performed. All staff will receive a comprehensive induction programme covering all aspects of safeguarding and health and safety.

Probation

All new staff will be subject to the trust probation procedures for a period of 6 months. The probation period is to enable the assessment of an employee’s suitability for the job and which includes a review of the performance of new staff in relation to duties, skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the job description and person specification.

This will also include an employee’s suitability to work with children and young people and their commitment to safeguarding and child protection.

Equal opportunities

The Trust recognises the value of, and seeks to achieve a diverse workforce. We takes positive steps to create an employment culture in which people feel confident of being treated with fairness, dignity and respect, irrespective of their differences. The Trust is committed to the elimination of unlawful discrimination and to the promotion of good relations between all.


We are deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All necessary safeguarding checks will be undertaken which must have satisfactory outcomes, otherwise the conditional job offer may be withdrawn. Details of the checks that will be undertake can be found at: Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2025 – KCSIE 2025. . No applicant will be disadvantaged or discriminated against because of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.