Communication and Interaction Specialist Teacher

Job Description Organisation: Leicestershire County Council Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8RF Salary: Main Pay Scale 5 - UPS3 + 2SEN (Dependent on experience)  Working Hours:  32.5 hours a week Contract Type: Full time and part-time post available, Permanent (Teachers Terms and Conditions) Closing Date: 4th October 2026 Interview Date(s): W/C 12th October 2026  An exciting opportunity has arisen for highly skilled and experienced Specialist Teachers of Communication and Autism to join Leicestershire’s Specialist Teaching Service.

These new posts within the expanding Learning, Communication and Autism Team will play a central role in supporting the delivery of SEND reforms and the Experts at Hand programme, helping schools build capacity and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND across the 5-19 age range. We are looking for qualified teachers with strong expertise in autism and communication and interaction needs, strengths and differences and a secure understanding of how these may interact with other areas of SEND, including cognition and learning, SEMH and sensory needs.

  About the Role We are a welcoming and highly regarded team of Specialist Teachers and practitioners with extensive knowledge, experience and a strong commitment to inclusion. As part of the Specialist Teaching Service, we work collaboratively with families, educational settings and partner organisations to improve opportunities, experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

The successful applicant will support children and young people aged 5 to 19 with communication and interaction needs, including autistic learners, through a combination of specialist assessment, advice, consultation and training. Working within an evolving Experts at Hand model, you will help schools and post-16 settings strengthen inclusive practice, implement evidence-informed approaches and improve provision for learners with SEND.

The role involves working closely with school leaders, SENCos, families and multi-agency professionals to identify strengths, barriers and support needs, while contributing to EHCP assessments, annual reviews and other statutory processes. You will also maintain accurate records, support service development and engage in ongoing professional learning. We are seeking a motivated, collaborative practitioner with strong knowledge of the National Curriculum, effective SEND practice and a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.

An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement . About You To apply for this post, you must: Please ensure that you cover all 7 points in your application and provide clear examples and evidence of how each point has been met. Degree level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status, with evidence of further professional development in autism or communication and interaction.

A specialist qualification in autism or a related area of SEND is desirable. Substantial experience of working directly with school-age children and young people with a diagnosis autism or those with communication and interaction needs Strong knowledge of effective assessment, teaching and learning strategies, interventions and resources that support progress, attainment and inclusion of pupils with communication and interaction needs across a range of educational settings.

Experience of delivering training, consultation and professional development to educational settings and other partners, supporting inclusive practice and effective provision for children and young people with communication and interaction needs. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively, manage a varied caseload, and build effective working relationships with children, young people, families, colleagues, educat