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Cognition and Learning Practitioner
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Cognition and Learning Practitioner
Job Description
Sendsory
Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP2
Salary: £28,862.58 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, 8am – 4.30 pm, term time only
Contract: Fixed Term for 12 months, required to start 1 September 2026
Reference: 0820
About the Role
As a Cognition and Learning Practitioner at Sendsory, you will play a key role in delivering our Therapeutic Curriculum, working under the direction of the Therapeutic Teacher to provide high-quality, child-centred learning experiences for children with complex SEND needs. You will use your specialist knowledge of Cognition and Learning to support children who experience barriers to learning, helping them develop communication, independence, confidence and essential life skills through structured, therapeutic and personalised approaches.
You will support the implementation of EHCP outcomes, contribute to AQA Unit Award Scheme evidence and provide guidance to colleagues to promote consistent, high-quality provision across the setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver engaging, child-centred 1:1 and small group sessions under the direction of the Therapeutic Teacher, supporting curriculum delivery
- Implement EHCP outcomes for individual pupils within sessions, ensuring personalised targets are embedded in daily practice
- Support pupils to achieve AQA Unit Award Scheme outcomes through structured learning activities and recording of progress
- Promote life skills development, social communication, emotional regulation and independence through daily routines and guided learning experiences
- Encourage confidence, self-help skills, problem-solving and positive peer interaction to support preparation for everyday life and future learning
- Provide personal care for children where required, always maintaining dignity, privacy and respect
- Prepare, set up and reset therapeutic learning environments, ensuring spaces are safe, calm and ready for use
- Support children during breakfast and lunch routines, promoting independence, communication and positive social interaction
- Use trauma-informed and restorative approaches to actively de-escalate behaviour in line with Behaviour in Education expectations and training
- Build consistent, positive and trusting relationships with pupils, modelling emotional regulation, clear boundaries and appropriate behaviour
- Record and report behaviour incidents, safeguarding concerns and wellbeing observations in line with organisational procedures
- Support the implementation of therapeutic strategies that promote emotional safety, predictability and relational security
- Attend safeguarding and behaviour briefings and contribute to reflective team discussions and solution-focused planning
- Undertake additional duties as directed by the Therapeutic Teacher, including preparing resources, adapting materials, creating visuals, laminating and supporting classroom organisation
- Support emotional regulation and resilience using an attachment-aware approach, recognising triggers and responding with consistent, supportive strategies that help children feel safe and understood
- Apply your Cognition and Learning specialist knowledge in daily practice, supporting children with processing, memory, organisation and learning difficulties through personalised teaching approaches
- Adapt learning activities using structured teaching, visual supports, repetition, scaffolding and practical resources to ensure learning is accessible and meaningful
- Monitor children's progress closely and adapt strategies to meet individual learning needs and rates of development
- Model effective Cognition and Learning strategies for colleagues, sharing resources, ideas and approaches that support inclusive practice across the provision
- Contribute to the continuous development of high-quality SEND practice by supporting colleagues to differentiate learning and remove barriers to participation
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Requirements
- Experience working with children with SEND, particularly those with Cognition and Learning needs
- A strong understanding of Cognition and Learning difficulties and evidence-informed approaches to supporting learning
- Experience implementing strategies to support processing, working memory, attention, organisation and learning independence
- Experience or confidence in supporting learning in 1:1 and small group settings
- The ability to build positive, consistent relationships with children with complex needs
- A strong understanding of trauma-informed, attachment-aware and restorative approaches
- Confidence in supporting behaviour using calm, de-escalation strategies
- A willingness to support personal care needs where required
- Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities (training can be provided)
- Flexibility, resilience and a proactive approach to supporting daily provision
- A commitment to helping children develop independence, confidence and emotional regulation
- Experience adapting learning resources and differentiating activities to meet a range of learning needs
- QTS is not required for this role; applications are welcome from experienced practitioners, Higher Level Teaching Assistants, specialist support staff and those with relevant professional experience
- Experience using communication tools such as Makaton, PECS or visual supports is desirable
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About Sendsory
Sendsory is a specialist Alternative Provision supporting children aged 4–11 with SEND. Our Therapeutic Curriculum supports children to regulate emotions, develop communication and social skills and build confidence in a nurturing, structured environment.
We support children who are awaiting school placement, at risk of or who have experienced permanent exclusion, and those disengaging from mainstream education.
What We Offer
At Sendsory, you'll join a supportive, child-focused team, receive six training days per year and benefit from a competitive salary while making a meaningful difference to children with SEND.
How To Apply
Please complete your application by visiting our website including a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria in the job description. Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
Due to safer recruitment procedures, we are unable to accept CVs.
Closing date: 12pm, 10 July 2026
Interview date: Week commencing 20 July 2026
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Sendsory is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from men as they are currently under-represented in this role.
About The Team
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