Job description
Early Years Practitioner – SEND
Location: Scarborough
Start Date: September 2026
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Are you an Early Years Practitioner, Nursery Nurse or Teaching Assistant looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference?
GSL Education are currently recruiting for an Early Years Practitioner to join a specialist SEND school in Scarborough. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with young children and wants to develop their experience within a supportive specialist setting.
About the School
The school provides a highly supportive and personalised learning environment for children and young people with a range of additional needs. The Early Years provision supports pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD).
The school places a strong emphasis on communication, independence, emotional development and building confidence, with staff working closely together to ensure every child receives the individual support they need.
About the Role
As an Early Years Practitioner, you will support children with their learning and development within a nurturing and engaging specialist environment.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting children with SLCN, MLD and SLD.
- Working alongside the class teacher and wider support team.
- Supporting engaging and developmentally appropriate Early Years activities.
- Developing children’s communication, language, social and emotional skills.
- Encouraging independence, confidence and positive relationships.
- Adapting activities and resources to meet individual needs.
- Supporting positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
- Building strong and trusting relationships with pupils.
- Monitoring progress and supporting individual learning targets.
- Supporting personal care and day-to-day needs where required.
- Contributing to a safe, inclusive and positive classroom environment.
What We’re Looking For
We are keen to hear from Early Years Practitioners, Nursery Nurses, Teaching Assistants, Childcare Practitioners and SEND Support Workers with relevant experience.
You do not necessarily need specialist SEND experience. Previous experience working with children or young people in Early Years, education, childcare, SEND or a similar setting is important, alongside a genuine passion for helping children develop and succeed.
You will ideally have:
- Experience working with children or young people.
- A patient, caring and nurturing approach.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- A willingness to learn and adapt your approach to individual children.
- A willingness to support personal care where required.
- An Early Years, Childcare, Teaching Assistant or SEND-related qualification is desirable but not essential where relevant experience can be demonstrated.
You will also need an Enhanced DBS, either on the Update Service or with a willingness to apply through GSL Education, along with the right to work in the UK and suitable references.
Why Apply?
- Full-time Early Years SEND opportunity in Scarborough.
- Gain valuable experience supporting children with additional needs.
- Supportive and experienced school team.
- Opportunity to develop your SEND and Early Years experience.
- Make a genuine difference to children’s learning, confidence and independence.
- Ongoing support from your dedicated GSL Education consultant.
Interested? Apply today. Whether you are an experienced Early Years Practitioner or a Teaching Assistant looking to move into a specialist SEND setting, we would love to hear from you.
GSL Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references, in line with current safeguarding requirements.