Job Description:

Job Title: SEN Support Practitioner - Creative & Sports Graduates

The Role:

Are you a Music, Performing Arts, Drama, Dance, Sports or Creative Arts graduate looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference to children and young people?

We are looking for enthusiastic and creative individuals to work as SEN Support Practitioners within specialist schools, alternative provisions and mainstream settings supporting pupils aged 4-19 years with a range of Special Educational Needs.

This is an opportunity to use your unique skills and interests to support children who may struggle to engage with traditional classroom-based learning. Whether it's using music, drama, movement, sport, dance, art or creative activities, you will help pupils develop essential life skills, communication, social skills, emotional regulation and independence in engaging and meaningful ways.

You don't need to be a qualified teacher. We are looking for people with the right personality, creativity, resilience and passion for working with children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Learning - Use music, drama, dance, sport and other creative activities to engage pupils and encourage learning in alternative and exciting ways.
• Life Skills - Support pupils to develop independence and practical life skills, including communication, personal hygiene, organisation, safety and self-care.
• Social Skills - Help pupils develop friendships, communication, turn-taking, teamwork, confidence and appropriate social interactions.
• Emotional Regulation - Support pupils to recognise and manage their emotions through creative therapeutic activities, movement, music, sensory strategies and positive relationships.
• Sensory Support - Plan and deliver sensory-based activities, movement sessions, sensory circuits and regulation opportunities suited to individual needs.
• Music & Performing Arts - Use rhythm, music, drama, singing, role play and performance to develop communication, confidence, self-expression and emotional wellbeing.
• Sport & Physical Activity - Use sport, games, exercise and movement to develop physical skills, teamwork, confidence, coordination and emotional regulation.
• Building Relationships - Develop positive, trusting relationships with pupils, particularly those who may have experienced challenges within traditional educational environments.
• Positive Behaviour Support - Use positive reinforcement, clear boundaries and de-escalation strategies to support pupils when they are experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties.
• Communication Support - Encourage pupils to express themselves through verbal and non-verbal communication, visuals, movement, music and other creative approaches.
• Teamwork - Work alongside teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, therapists and other professionals to provide consistent support for individual pupils.
• Encouraging Independence - Gradually encourage pupils to take ownership of tasks and develop confidence in making choices and completing activities independently.
• Enrichment & Activities - Organise and participate in workshops, performances, sports activities, creative projects, trips and other experiences that broaden pupils' opportunities.

Who We're Looking For:

We are particularly interested in graduates or practitioners with backgrounds in:

• Music
• Drama
• Dance
• Sports
• Creative Arts
• Fine Art & Design
• Outdoor Education

You do not need QTS or previous teaching experience. What matters is your ability to connect with children and young people and use your own skills creatively to help them develop.

Requirements:

• A degree, qualification or significant experience in Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Creative Arts or a related field.
• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people with additional needs.
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Patience, empathy and emotional resilience.
• Ability to remain calm and consistent when supporting challenging behaviour or emotional dysregulation.
• Creative thinking and the confidence to use your own skills to engage pupils.
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to learn about SEN, safeguarding, behaviour support and sensory regulation.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is mandatory. (We can help advise on this.)
• SEN experience is desirable but not essential - we value transferable skills, personality and potential.

Why Choose Veritas Education:

• Market leading Education Recruitment company covering the West Yorkshire area.
• Over 80 different CPD online training courses available to all our supply, long term and permanent staff members.
• A range of different work avenues across SEN, Primary, Secondary and Early Years.
• An experienced consultant available at all times to help with any queries, questions or support in your next career steps!

For further information, please contact

Hannah Gartshore - (url removed)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VERITAS EDUCATION

• All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy
• Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained
• You must have legal right to work in the UK
• You must be willing to attend a registration interview

Veritas Education work with a variety of schools covering a wide geographical area. We deal with teaching placements at Primary, Secondary and college level as well as support staff positions also within these.

Disclaimer

'Nothing within the above advert was in any way designed or intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Veritas Education is an Equal opportunities employer and is proud in the knowledge that all placements are made on merit and suitability. We accept applications from all sections of the community.'