If you’re an experienced Teaching Assistant or HLTA who wants to do more than simply support from the sidelines, this could be an excellent next step. We’re recruiting a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) for a specialist SEND provision in Woolton, Liverpool, supporting secondary-aged pupils with autism (ASC), moderate to severe learning difficulties and communication, sensory and social-emotional needs. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll have the opportunity to lead learning, deliver interventions, provide class cover and help young people develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom. You’ll join an experienced specialist team that understands that progress looks different for every pupil – and that academic achievement is only one part of preparing young people for their future. More Than Classroom Support As an HLTA, you’ll have greater responsibility for learning while continuing to provide the individualised SEND support pupils need. Working alongside teachers, therapists and pastoral staff, you’ll:
- Lead planned lessons and learning activities with individuals, groups and whole classes.
- Provide whole‑class cover when required.
- Adapt learning around pupils’ individual abilities, communication styles and EHCP outcomes.
- Deliver targeted interventions in literacy, numeracy, communication and social development.
- Help pupils develop emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
- Support young people with autism, learning difficulties and sensory needs.
- Reinforce routines and approaches that create consistency and security.
- Monitor learning and provide teachers with meaningful feedback on progress.
- Encourage pupils to become increasingly confident and independent.
- Support vocational learning, enrichment, educational visits and practical life‑skills activities.
For some pupils, success might mean completing a learning task independently. For another, it could be communicating a choice, coping with an unexpected change or successfully navigating a social situation. You’ll help recognise, encourage and build upon all of that progress.
Communication Is a Big Part of the Role
Not every young person will communicate in the same way. Depending on your experience and the pupils you’re supporting, you may use approaches such as:
- Visual timetables and visual prompts.
- PECS.
- Makaton.
- Social Stories.
- AAC systems.
- Structured routines and communication strategies.
Supporting Behaviour by Understanding the Need, That makes this an excellent opportunity for an HLTA who wants to develop their specialist SEND career while having genuine responsibility for pupil outcomes.
What You’ll Receive
- £110-£130 per day, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Full‑time, consistent Monday‑Friday work.
- 8:30am‑3:30pm, term‑time only.
- A long‑term opportunity within specialist SEND education.
- Access to SEND‑specific training and CPD.
- Regular safeguarding updates.
- Support from a dedicated education consultant.
- Opportunities to progress into further long‑term or permanent specialist roles.
- Valuable experience working alongside SEND professionals and multidisciplinary teams.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer‑recruitment and compliance checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and relevant right‑to‑work and safeguarding checks.
Some pupils may experience difficulties with emotional regulation or display behaviour that challenges.
You’ll provide calm, consistent support, helping to understand what a pupil may be communicating through their behaviour and using agreed strategies to reduce barriers and help them re‑engage. Experience of positive behaviour support, trauma‑informed practice, Team Teach, MAPA or similar approaches would therefore be particularly useful.
Are You Ready to Step Up?
We’re looking for someone with HLTA status, a relevant Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience and qualifications, who is confident taking greater responsibility within the classroom. You’ll ideally have recent experience supporting young people with SEND, autism and learning difficulties, particularly within a secondary or specialist setting. You’ll need to be:
- Confident leading groups and learning activities.
- Comfortable providing classroom cover.
- Calm and resilient when situations become challenging.
- Able to adapt quickly to individual needs.
- Organised and confident recording progress.
- A strong communicator and collaborative team member.
- Passionate about helping young people become more independent.
Experience within a specialist SEND school, resource base or alternative provision would be particularly valuable. Knowledge of EHCPs, sensory processing, SEMH, complex communication needs and preparation‑for‑adulthood pathways would also be beneficial.
Preparing Young People for More Than Exams
If you’re already an HLTA, or you’re an experienced SEND Teaching Assistant ready to take on greater responsibility, we’d like to hear from you.
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