Care Team Assistant

New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust is a vibrant, aspirational and inclusive multi-academy trust of eight special schools and two specialist post-16 provisions across Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale. As part of the wider New Bridge Group there are also two post-19 provisions. Our settings support a wide spectrum of needs from age 419 and beyond. The Trust is proud to be national leaders in Special Education and has a culture of creating outstanding opportunities for all.

Thomas Ashton School is entering an exciting phase of development and we are looking for a passionate, resilient and committed practitioner to join our team. Our pupils have complex needs, including significant SEMH challenges, and many have experienced trauma.

At the heart of our approach is unconditional positive regard, the belief that every child deserves dignity, consistency, safety and an adult who will remain alongside them, even in their most challenging moments.

At every level, you will model a relational, trauma-informed approach that prioritises learning, inclusion and emotional wellbeing.

As a Care Team Assistant you will:

• Assist pastoral staff in their work with students, offering practical support as directed.
• Provide support to behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding systems on-site, following guidance from senior staff.
  
• Support communication with students, parents, staff, and external agencies when required.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with SEMH students and their families under the guidance of teaching and pastoral leads.
• Contribute to developing understanding of behaviour approaches, including zones of regulation, restorative practice, and trauma awareness, through ongoing training and team support.
• Demonstrate and promote Unconditional Positive Regard in daily interactions with students.
  

Although the role can be emotionally demanding, it provides a uniquely meaningful and purpose-driven opportunity to make a real difference in education.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they meet the following essential criteria:

• A commitment to supporting young people to re-engage with learning and develop their skills and confidence.
• Experience of supporting intervention activities for learners, including those who may be reluctant to engage, under the direction of teaching staff.
  
• Ability to provide additional support to help pupils engage in the classroom and wider school activities.
• Experience of working with school-aged children, including those who may display challenging behaviour or SEMH needs, ideally within an educational or similar setting.
• A nurturing, calm, and empathetic approach to supporting behaviour.
• The resilience to support students with a range of needs, maintaining a patient and non-judgemental approach.
• An understanding of positive classroom practice and behaviour for learning, and the ability to reinforce this under staff guidance.
• The ability to support teaching and learning for individuals or small groups within an SEMH setting.
• A basic understanding of behaviour support plans and strategies, with the ability to follow and implement guidance provided.
• The ability to model appropriate social behaviour and support pupils’ general welfare in and out of the classroom.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, using initiative within agreed boundaries.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development.

New Bridge MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must have a commitment to safeguarding young people. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and references will be sought prior to interview.

This post will be subject to a number of pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. It will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here.

For successful candidates, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.

We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Salary: NJC scale points 5-11: £25,583 £28,142 per annum (full time equivalent)

Actual Salary range pro rata: £19,397 -£21,337 per annum

Based: Thomas Ashton School (Upper) Bennett Street, Hyde SK14 4SS or (Lower) Lumb Lane, Audenshaw, M34 5SF

Status: Permanent and Fixed Term

Commencing: 1^st September 2026

Hours of work: 32.5 hours per week (TTO) plus 5 days (195 days)

Closing Date: Thursday 9^th July 2026, 10 am

Shortlisting: Friday 10^th July 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 15^th July /Thursday 16^th July 2026

For visits or further information, please contact: info@thomasashton.org

To Apply

Return completed application forms via email to: recruitment@newbridgegroup.org