SEN Teaching Assistant with Lifeguarding Experience - Northamptonshire

Tradewind Recruitment is seeking proactive, compassionate, and adaptable SEN Teaching Assistants with lifeguarding experience to support schools across Northamptonshire.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people with additional needs. We are looking for candidates who can bring energy, patience, confidence, and a calm approach to a range of educational settings.

The successful candidate must have previous experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), either within schools, specialist provisions, care settings, youth work, sports coaching, swimming programmes, holiday clubs, residential settings, or similar environments. Experience supporting pupils with autism, ADHD, social, emotional and mental health needs, learning difficulties, communication needs, or challenging behaviour would be highly beneficial.

Lifeguarding experience is particularly valued, as it demonstrates responsibility, awareness of safety procedures, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and confidence working with children in active and sometimes unpredictable environments. Candidates may also have experience supporting swimming lessons, sports activities, outdoor education, or wellbeing programmes.

The role will involve:

• Providing one-to-one and small-group support for pupils with SEND.
• Supporting children with autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, communication needs, and social, emotional or mental health needs.
• Helping pupils to engage positively in classroom learning and wider school activities.
• Supporting emotional regulation, confidence, independence, and positive behaviour.
• Adapting activities and communication methods to meet individual pupil needs.
• Working closely with class teachers, SENCOs, pastoral staff, and other support professionals.
• Promoting a safe, inclusive, and encouraging learning environment.
• Supporting pupils during transitions, breaktimes, enrichment activities, and potentially PE or swimming sessions.
• Using a calm, patient, and consistent approach when supporting pupils who may display challenging behaviour.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children or young people with SEND or in similar support-based settings.
• Has lifeguarding experience or a relevant qualification.
• Is highly proactive, reliable, and able to use their own initiative.
• Can build strong, positive relationships with pupils and staff.
• Is resilient, flexible, and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Has a genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs.
• Is willing to work across a range of primary, secondary, and specialist schools in Northamptonshire.

Tradewind Recruitment offers flexible and long-term opportunities across Northamptonshire. Whether you are looking for full-time work, part-time work, or a role that fits around other commitments, we would like to hear from you.

If you have relevant SEN experience, lifeguarding experience, and a genuine commitment to supporting children with additional needs, apply today to join Tradewind Recruitment.