Job title
SEN Teacher
Location
Dorset
Start date
After Easter 2026
About the school
This is a specialist education setting for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It offers a highly personalised and therapeutic approach to learning for pupils with a range of additional needs, including complex needs, learning difficulties and behaviours that may challenge.
Students are typically mixed gender, aged 7-19, and benefit from a structured, nurturing and well-supported environment designed to promote positive educational and personal outcomes.
Purpose of the role
To plan and deliver high-quality, engaging and differentiated teaching for pupils with autism and associated additional needs, enabling them to make progress academically, socially and emotionally within a specialist setting.
Key responsibilities*Plan and deliver creative, differentiated lessons to meet individual learning needs
*Support pupils with autism and complex needs to access learning in a calm, structured and consistent environment
*Adapt teaching strategies in line with pupil communication styles, sensory needs and EHCP outcomes
*Work closely with teaching assistants to ensure effective in-class support
*Liaise with therapists, care staff and school leaders to provide a joined-up approach for each learner
*Monitor, record and report on pupil progress
*Create a safe, inclusive and nurturing classroom environment
*Support positive behaviour approaches and de-escalation strategies where needed
*Contribute to reviews, assessments, reports and wider school life
*Promote independence, communication and personal development for all learners
Person specificationEssential*Qualified Teacher Status
*Experience teaching children or young people with SEND
*Strong understanding of autism-friendly teaching practice
*Experience differentiating lessons for a range of abilities and needs
*Confident classroom and behaviour management skills
*Ability to work collaboratively with support staff and multidisciplinary teams
*Strong communication, safeguarding and record-keeping skills
Desirable*Experience in a specialist autism setting
*Knowledge of EHCP-led planning and outcomes-based teaching
*Experience supporting pupils with communication differences, sensory needs or behaviours that challenge
*Team Teach or similar positive behaviour training
*Experience across primary, secondary or mixed-age specialist provision