SEN Support - Primary
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
Start: September
Location: Chelmsford
Type: Full-time (likely term-time)
We are seeking a dedicated SEN Support Assistant to join a mainstream primary school inclusion hub in Chelmsford from September.
This role will involve:
- Providing 1:1 support for pupils with additional needs
- Supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Working closely with the SENCO and wider inclusion team
- Assisting with behavioural, emotional, and learning support within the hub and classroom
- Previous experience supporting children with SEN, particularly ASD
- Strong background in 1:1 support
- Calm, patient, and adaptable approach
- Ability to build positive relationships with pupils and staff
- Experience in a school or similar setting
- Understanding of EHCPs and tailored support strategies
- Passionate about inclusive education
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Lead your Personal Statement with direct ASD and 1:1 support experience, as the advert lists these as the primary requirements for the inclusion hub role.
📊 Quantify your SEN experience where possible: e.g. 'Provided 1:1 support for 4 pupils with ASD across KS1 and KS2 over 2 academic years'.
🎯 Explicitly mention any EHCP experience — the advert lists understanding of EHCPs as an ideal qualifier, so naming specific involvement (reviews, targets, documentation) will strengthen your application.
🔒 Confirm your enhanced DBS status and DBS Update Service subscription prominently in your CV header or cover letter, as Protocol Education requires this before placement.
🤝 Reference your experience working alongside a SENCO or inclusion team, as the role specifically involves close collaboration with these professionals within a mainstream school setting.
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Delivered daily 1:1 support to 3 pupils with ASD across KS1 and KS2, implementing EHCP targets that contributed to measurable progress in communication goals over one academic year.
- •Collaborated with the SENCO to develop and review tailored behaviour support plans for 5 pupils in a mainstream primary inclusion hub, reducing recorded incidents by 30% over one term.
- •Maintained full compliance with DfE safeguarding requirements including an enhanced DBS check and Keeping Children Safe in Education training, supporting a school of 280 pupils.
Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.
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Letter preview — tailored to Protocol Education
Dear Hiring Manager,
Protocol Education's SEN Support Assistant vacancy at the Chelmsford mainstream primary inclusion hub is precisely the role I have been working towards. With hands-on experience delivering 1:1 support for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a solid understanding of EHCP targets, I am confident I can make a meaningful contribution to the inclusion team from September.
My background in primary SEN settings has equipped me to work calmly and consistently with children who have complex behavioural, emotional, and learning needs. I have collaborated closely with SENCOs to implement tailored support strategies within both classroom and hub environments, always keeping the pupil's individual targets at the centre of my practice. I hold a valid enhanced DBS and am subscribed to the Update Service.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How do you adapt your 1:1 support strategies for a pupil with ASD who is experiencing sensory overload in a mainstream classroom?
- ›Can you explain what an EHCP is and describe how you have used one to inform your day-to-day support for a pupil?
- ›What behavioural support strategies have you used with primary-aged children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs?
- ›How do you track and record progress for pupils with additional needs, and how do you share this with the SENCO?
- ›What is your understanding of the DfE guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' and how does it shape your practice?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you supported a child with ASD through a particularly challenging situation — what did you do and what was the outcome?
- ›Describe a situation where you had to adapt your approach quickly to meet the changing needs of a pupil. How did you manage this?
- ›Give an example of how you have built a positive, trusting relationship with a pupil who was initially reluctant to engage.
- ›Tell me about a time you worked closely with a SENCO or teacher to develop a tailored support plan. What was your contribution?
- ›Describe a time you had to remain calm and patient in a stressful classroom situation. How did you de-escalate it?
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you supported a child with ASD through a particularly challenging situation — what did you do and what was the outcome?
Describe a situation where you had to adapt your approach quickly to meet the changing needs of a pupil. How did you manage this?