Special School Support Assistant - Bournemouth

Prospero Teaching is seeking calm, patient, and resilient Special School Support Assistants (SSSAs) to join a specialist SEN school in Bournemouth, supporting pupils across primary and secondary age ranges. The school works with children and young people with a wide variety of additional needs, including autism, communication difficulties, learning disabilities, sensory needs, complex needs, and barriers to engaging with learning.

The school is also open to applications from ad-hoc supply staff who are available for day-to-day, short-term, and long-term cover. This offers flexible opportunities for individuals seeking varied work within a highly supportive SEN environment.

This is a deeply rewarding role for someone passionate about helping children and young people who benefit from consistent, nurturing, relationship-based support to thrive both emotionally and academically.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing tailored support to primary and secondary-aged pupils with learning disabilities, autism, sensory needs, or communication difficulties
• Supporting children and young people who may experience anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or challenges with transitions and routines
• Encouraging engagement through play-based, creative, therapeutic, and differentiated learning activities
• Promoting emotional wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour throughout the school day
• Supporting pupils with communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, and developing independence
• Building trusting, stable relationships using clear, calm, and consistent communication
• Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to ensure holistic, child-centred support

Contract Details

Location: Bournemouth

Position: Special School Support Assistant (SSSA)

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Type: Full-time with temp-to-perm pathways available, plus opportunities for ad-hoc supply staff for day-to-day, short-term, and long-term cover

Working Hours: 08:30 - 15:30

Pay Rate: From £14 per hour

Requirements

To be considered, you must:

• Have the Right to Work in the UK
• Hold an enhanced child-barred list DBS on the Update Service (or be willing to apply)
• Provide professional references covering the last 24 months
• Hold a Level 2/3 qualification in childcare, education, health & social care, or have relevant SEN experience

What We Offer

• Free accredited CPD, including safeguarding, behaviour management, and de-escalation
• Access to our specialist in-house Training & Development Team
• Ongoing support from a dedicated SEN consultant
• A welcoming SEN school environment with strong staff culture and clear progression opportunities

Refer a Friend

Know someone who would thrive in a specialist SEN setting? You can earn a referral bonus for every successful recommendation through our Refer a Friend scheme (T&Cs apply).