Teaching Assistant – PMLD (Ideal for Ex-Care Workers)

Job Details

• Job Type: Temporary
• Location: Wiltshire
• Salary: Negotiable
• Start Date: Wed 22nd Oct 2025
• Contact Name: Beth Hoyle
• Contact Email: beth@fiveeducation.co.uk

Job Description

Teaching Assistant – PMLD (Ideal for Ex-Care Workers)
Location: Melksham
Contract: Full-time
Pay: £89–£100 per day (inclusive of holiday pay)

The School
We are working with a welcoming and well-resourced special school that supports children and young people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) and complex medical needs. The school offers a highly nurturing environment, with a strong focus on communication, sensory learning, and life skills development. Class sizes are small, with excellent facilities and a supportive team of staff and therapists.

The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for former care workers looking to transfer their skills into education. You will be working as a Teaching Assistant, supporting pupils who require a high level of care and attention. Many students are non-verbal and use alternative communication methods. The role will involve personal care, supporting physical needs, and facilitating access to sensory and therapeutic learning activities.

You’ll work closely with teachers and therapists to ensure every child can engage, develop independence, and experience success in a safe, nurturing environment.

Main Responsibilities
Support students with PMLD to access tailored learning activities
Provide personal care (feeding, toileting, changing) with dignity and sensitivity
Promote communication through sensory and alternative methods (e.g. eye gaze, switches, symbols)
Assist with physiotherapy and mobility where required
Foster independence and wellbeing
Work collaboratively with staff and external professionals

Essential Criteria
Previous experience in a care or support role
Comfortable providing personal care
Patient, compassionate, and resilient
Ability to stay calm under pressure
Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Desirable Criteria
Experience supporting individuals with PMLD or complex needs in education or care settings
Moving and Handling or Personal Care training

What can Five Education offer you?
Check out our Google reviews for one of the best supply experiences
Free specialist training (Trauma, Team Teach, Makaton, Autism, Speech and Language, ADHD and more)
Recommend a friend bonus scheme
Refunded DBS cost after working 20 days
Guaranteed work scheme for stability and peace of mind
Specialist support and mentoring while you are working

Pay
Five Education operates a PAYE payroll – the most transparent way to be paid with no hidden fees such as admin charges or employer’s NI. We are also proud to be an accredited Living Wage employer. Please note, pay rate is illustrative and includes holiday pay.

Vetting
Five Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants will undergo checks including reference and TRA checks. If you do not have a non-voluntary enhanced DBS on the update service, a new DBS will need to be processed at a cost of £62.70, refunded after 20 days of work and once registered to the update service.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, who are currently under-represented at this level.