Specialist Support Worker

Specialist Support Worker CAPTION: Company: senploy Salary: £19,995 to £19,995 a year Hours: Full-time Location: SW18 4LD Job type: Temporary Posting date: 11 Sept 2026 Closing date: 7 Oct 2026 Apply for this job Summary Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) - Specialist Support Worker LOCATION: Wandsworth, Lewisham - with the possibility of working in other areas of London SALARY: £19,995 pro rata (£31,571 FTE) HOURS: Full time, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm, term time only DURATION: 1 academic year fixed term, with the possibility of extension REPORTS TO: EOTAS Coordinator About the job What if you could help a young person rediscover their confidence in learning?

We're looking for an experienced Specialist Support Worker who understands that, for some autistic children and young people, mainstream education simply hasn't worked - and that the answer isn't to expect them to fit back into the same system. Our EOTAS team provides something different: highly personalised, flexible support built around the individual young person. You'll work 1:1 or 2:1 with autistic children and young people with a range of needs, helping them reconnect with learning, develop independence and build confidence in a way that feels safe, meaningful and achievable for them.

This isn't a traditional classroom role. You'll work across home and community settings, using the young person's interests, strengths and individual needs to create meaningful opportunities for learning and development. This could mean turning a special interest into a learning opportunity, finding a different way to approach something that has previously caused distress, or simply spending time building the trust and relationship that makes learning possible.

You'll use trauma-informed and low-demand approaches, adapting your support around the young person rather than expecting the young person to adapt to you. Who we're looking for You might currently be working as an SEN Teaching Assistant, Autism Practitioner, Specialist Support Worker, Behaviour Mentor, EOTAS/Alternative Provision Practitioner, or in a similar role. We're looking for someone with solid experience supporting autistic children and young people, ideally including experience working in an SEN/specialist school or other specialist educational setting.

You will understand the importance of connection before compliance and be confident adapting your approach to meet the individual needs of each young person. Supporting autistic children and young people with varying needs. Working in an SEN/specialist school or other specialist educational setting. Supporting children who may experience distress or behaviours that challenge. Supporting children with a PDA profile of autism.

Trauma-informed and low-demand approaches. EOTAS, alternative provision or another highly personalised educational setting. Working flexibly and creatively when traditional approaches aren't working. Building genuine, respectful relationships with young people. Supporting the development of confidence, independence and life skills. You'll need to be patient, curious, creative and adaptable, with the confidence to work independently while also being part of a small specialist team.

Most importantly, you'll understand that progress doesn't always look like sitting at a desk and completing a worksheet. About Resources for Autism Resources for Autism (RfA) is a values-driven organisation supporting autistic people and their families across London and the West Midlands. Our mission is to support and enable autistic people to live happy and fulfilling lives, while challenging attitudes towards autism and creating opportunities for autistic people to thrive.

Our values are: Inclusion | Creativity | Compassion | Courageousness | Expertise We are a neuro-affirming organisation with a strengths- and rights-based approach to supporting autistic and neurodivergent people. We believe in creating environments where people feel understood, respected and su