Specialist Teaching Assistant

Ambitious About Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights​ and create opportunities. We run specialist education services, an award-winning employment programme and children and young people are at the heart of our charity's decision-making, policy work and campaigning. 

We are looking for resilient and passionate people to join us our Ofsted “Good” Ambitious College as a Specialist Teaching Assistant.

In this role, you will be working on a 1:1 basis with our Autistic learners. You will provide support to learners so that they can access the curriculum whilst also promoting their independence and self-esteem through community led activities.

Position: Specialist Teaching Assistant

School: Ambitious College (CONEL Campus), N15 4FY

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent (Hours: 9am - 4.30pm)

Salary: £24,891 to £26,502

About the School:

Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting autistic young people aged 16–25. Our educational approach focuses on the individual at all times. We offer a highly personalised curriculum and positively support our learners to acquire new skills and take part in everyday life. We are located within two mainstream further education college campuses: the College of Haringey, Enfield, and North East London (CONEL), and West Thames College, West London. Through a range of partnerships with local businesses, community groups, and our mainstream college partners, we also offer opportunities to learn in the community. This combined approach – personalised education, positive support, and real work experience – delivers results. It allows our young people to achieve their goals, fulfil their potential, and go on to lead active lives in their community. Ambitious College's values define how we work and ensure that children and young people with autism are at the heart of all that we do.

As part of the Ambitious About Autism team, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Term time only role (yet paid across 52 weeks)
• A competitive salary of up to £26,502 and an increase every September
• Free healthy breakfast available everyday
• State of the art Autism specific training including person centred approaches, positive behaviour support, medical training and understanding sensory needs
• Working with experts in the Autism industry with 1:1 meetings and training provided
• Eye test vouchers, season ticket loans and a cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme, to help you balance your work, family, and personal life
• Continuous professional development including access to coaching and mentoring as well as e-learning and online training courses

This is a fantastic opportunity for somebody who wants to make a difference to our autistic children, their families and the community. If you would like more information, please refer to our job description.

Start date: January 2025

(Please note, this role may close earlier than the end date dependent on the volume of applicants)

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.