Teaching Assistant – Autism, Wirral

Job Description

Autism & ADHD Specialist required for full and part-time school roles

Location: Wirral
Hours: Full-time or Part-time | Flexible working options available
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Are you an experienced care professional looking for a change?

Do you have experience supporting children, young people or adults with autism, ADHD, neurodiversity or additional needs?

Perhaps you currently work in care and love supporting people, but you’re looking for more predictable hours, greater flexibility and a better work-life balance.

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for a compassionate, patient and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant with specialist knowledge of autism and ADHD to join our supportive school team in Wirral.

You don’t necessarily need to have worked in a school before. Your experience in care could give you many of the transferable skills we are looking for.

Your experience could be a great fit

We value the skills that people develop in care roles, including:

• Building trusting relationships with children and young people
• Understanding individual needs and adapting your approach
• Supporting emotional regulation and managing challenging situations calmly
• Using clear and effective communication
• Promoting independence and confidence
• Understanding sensory needs and neurodiversity
• Following individual support plans and maintaining accurate records
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Remaining patient, compassionate and consistent, even when situations are challenging

Whether your background is in healthcare, residential care, support work, youth work, education or another people-focused role, we’d encourage you to apply.

About the role

As an Autism & ADHD Specialist Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with pupils and the wider school team to help children access learning, develop independence and thrive in school.

Every child is different, so you’ll use your experience and understanding of neurodiversity to provide individualised support.

You may be supporting pupils with:

• Autism and ADHD
• Communication and interaction needs
• Sensory processing differences
• Emotional regulation
• Social and behavioural needs
• Complex or additional learning needs

You’ll be part of a team that believes every child deserves to be understood, supported and given the opportunity to succeed.

A fresh start from care

Moving from care into education doesn’t mean starting again.

The empathy, resilience, patience and practical experience you’ve developed throughout your career are incredibly valuable in a school setting.

And working in a school can offer a different rhythm to traditional care roles, with the opportunity for more structured working hours, school holidays and a healthier work-life balance, depending on the position and hours agreed.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and young people
• Knowledgeable about autism and ADHD
• Calm, patient and emotionally resilient
• A confident communicator
• Able to build positive relationships
• Flexible and willing to learn
• Comfortable working as part of a team
• Committed to safeguarding and the wellbeing of children
• Experienced in care, support work, education or another relevant setting

A formal Teaching Assistant qualification is not necessarily essential if you have strong transferable experience and the right attitude.

Why join us?

• Full-time or part-time opportunities
• A supportive and welcoming school environment
• The opportunity to move from care into education
• More predictable working patterns
• A role where your existing experience is genuinely valued
• Opportunities to develop your specialist knowledge
• The chance to make a meaningful difference every day
• A role designed to support a positive work-life balance

Ready for a change?

If you’re an experienced care professional who wants to continue making a difference — but in a school environment with greater flexibility — this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

We’d love to hear from people who may not traditionally see themselves as a Teaching Assistant, but who have the skills, experience and passion to make a real difference to autistic and ADHD learners.

Apply today and bring your experience with you.

New Directions Education Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.