About the role

Post: [250925D] SEND Therapy Assistant

Location: Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learners (SAIL), Salisbury, Wiltshire

Actual Salary Range: Grade H.   £26,548 - £28,368 Actual Annual Salary, Pro Rata

Hours/Contract Type: Permanent, 35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term-time)

As a member of our school team at SAIL, you will:

• Provide therapeutic support to all students.
• Promote and model therapeutic practice throughout the school, embedding practice.
• Deliver one-to-one and group sessions as directed by our therapists to ensure that students are receiving high quality input ensuring that they are developing the skills needed to lead safe independent life’s
• Provide therapeutic support to all students under the direction of qualified therapists – Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate for our Therapy Assistant role will be able to demonstrate that they:

• Have a good knowledge and understanding of Autism and appropriate strategies to support pupils with this need, e.g. TEACHH
• Have knowledge and understanding of social, emotional and mental health needs, and cognitive needs, that affect children and young people’s development
• Have excellent listening skills and the ability to build strong, trusting relationships, ensuring pupils feels safe and heard
• Are resilient and able to take regular responsibility for agreed therapy activities
• Are able to promote and support the inclusion of all pupils in learning and social skills activities
• Can recognise dysregulation and proactively provide emotional regulation support to students when required.
• Are able to interact sensitively with students as appropriate, and demonstrate empathy, recognising their preferred communication style
• Have relevant qualifications and shown direct interest in these areas through ongoing continued professional development and are degree qualified

The jobholder will deliver set programmes and monitor progress against agreed provision and practices provided by therapists, however, they will be required to use a variety of interpersonal skills and strategies to engage the pupil, and to establish supportive and positive relationships with pupils, parents and carers.

The jobholder works closely with pupils and staff. There is a regular need to tailor communication to the needs of the pupils. Other key contacts are with other school staff, parents and sometimes professionals from outside the school who are involved with particular pupils.

There will regularly be a need to make immediate (direct) decisions, without initial referral. These decisions will need to be made to safeguard staff and students. . Such decisions must be taken in accordance with school policies but the jobholder must select the appropriate decision. 

About the School

SAIL (Salisbury Academy for Inspiration Learners) is a day specialist provider of education in Salisbury, Wiltshire for children and young people aged from 4 to 19 years who have a diagnosis of Autism or an SEMH profile.

We are a growing school which opened in September 2023 and currently have around 110 students. Our aim is to build safe, independent lives for the Autistic and SEMH population through a process of understanding, support, and enablement. We personalise each child’s curriculum, care, and therapeutic package to support them to achieve and experience success and independence.

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the South West of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education. We operate 16 academies in Bournemouth, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.

What we can offer

You will be working as part of a dynamic, committed team in a role which offers high job satisfaction and the chance to make a real difference to the children and families you work with.

We recognise what our people do and how hard they work, and we believe in giving back. You will have access to a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Competitive salary and LGPS pension
• Great career and development opportunities in a growing school
• A wide professional network as part of the Reach South family
• Employee Assistance Programme, including free 24/7 counselling and information line
• Wellbeing schemes, including Cycle to Work scheme and gym discounts
• Free will-writing service
• Lifestyle savings and discounts

Find out more about our range of employee benefits at: https://www.reachsouth.org/page/?title=Employee+Benefits&pid=84

How can I find out more about this opportunity?

You can find out more about this role and SAIL Academy by contacting the school.

If you would like an informal chat about the role or would like a tour of the school, please get in touch with the Interim Head of School, Daniel Goldstraw at reception@sail-academy.org or on 01722 694013.

How do I apply?

Applying for this opportunity is easy! Just click ‘apply now’ at the top of the advert.

Closing date for applications is 12th April 2026 at midnight

Next interview date:  Interviews are provisionally booked for the week beginning 20th April 2026.

Please note we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust is committed to ensuring that there is no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation at any stage of the recruitment process or in the terms and conditions offered to new employees, or promoted employees.