Teaching Assistant / ELSA

Woodfield Education Centre @ Carrington

Salary: Surrey Pay Scale S5 

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Term time only

Start Date: September 2026 or sooner if available

Be the difference for young people who need someone to believe in them.

Woodfield Education Centre @ Carrington is looking for a dedicated Teaching Assistant with ELSA experience, training or qualification desirable, to support pupils who require a highly personalised, nurturing and relationship-led approach to education.

This is a unique opportunity to work within a smaller specialist setting where relationships, trust and emotional regulation are at the centre of everything we do.

Many of our pupils have experienced significant barriers to education and need calm, consistent adults who can help them feel safe, understood and successful.

We are seeking someone who:

• has experience supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH or additional emotional needs
• ideally has ELSA training or strong pastoral/wellbeing experience
• understands behaviour as communication
• can confidently build positive relationships whilst maintaining professional boundaries
• is reflective, patient and emotionally resilient
• can adapt to pupils’ individual needs and learning styles
• enjoys working as part of a flexible and supportive multidisciplinary team

Why join us?

• smaller specialist setting with a strong team ethos
• opportunity to genuinely change outcomes for vulnerable young people
• rewarding and meaningful work where no two days are the same
• ongoing professional development and SEND training
• supportive leadership team
• opportunity to develop therapeutic and behaviour support skills
• varied role with opportunities to work creatively and relationally
• convenient location with nearby public transport links
• term-time working pattern
• employee wellbeing support

This role would suit someone who is passionate about inclusion, emotional wellbeing and helping young people re-engage with education and confidence.

Woodfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to satisfactory references, online checks, medical clearance and an Enhanced DBS check.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Early applications are therefore encouraged.