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Teaching assistant supporting pupils in a classroom
CAREERS • EMPLOYMENT • PROGRESSION

YOUR NEXT
STEP

Your practical careers guide for life after your Skills Bootcamp.

Job search • applications • interviews • local support • overcoming barriers • progression

DEVON • ESSEX • KENT • WILTSHIRE
The International Education Group LtdDigital CEIAG Guide
WELCOME
02

Welcome to Your Next Step

Adult learner receiving careers support
Your course may be finishing.
Your career journey is not.

Use this guide as your practical next-step toolkit. Come back to it when you are searching for work, completing an application, preparing for an interview or dealing with a barrier that is making work harder to reach.

01Choose a realistic goal
02Take regular action
03Use support early
Keep moving forward. Temporary work, volunteering, agency work and a first interview can all be useful steps towards the role you really want.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
CAREER PLANNING
03

Start with your direction

Know what you offer

  • Skills from your Bootcamp
  • Previous work and life experience
  • Transferable skills such as reliability, communication and organisation
  • Experience from caring, volunteering or community activity

Know what you want

  • School, nursery or SEND setting
  • Full-time, part-time or term-time
  • Preferred age group
  • Travel distance
  • Permanent, temporary or agency work

Know your next action

  • Update CV
  • Set job alerts
  • Make targeted applications
  • Build recent experience
  • Prepare for interviews
  • Review progress weekly
Career planning is not about choosing one job forever.It is about choosing the next sensible step and building from there.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
CAREER OPTIONS
04

Roles your skills can open up

Do not search only for “Teaching Assistant”

Employers use different job titles for similar work. Broader searching gives you more chances to find a suitable role.

Teaching AssistantLearning Support AssistantSEND / SEN TA1:1 SupportInclusion AssistantPastoral SupportEarly Years AssistantNursery PractitionerBreakfast ClubAfter-School ClubMidday AssistantPlayworkerSchool AdministratorReception / OfficeAgency / SupplyApprenticeship
Early years practitioner supporting children
Also look at: wraparound care, school office roles, bank nursery work, fixed-term support and specialist SEND settings.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
JOB SEARCH
05

Where to look for work

MyNewTerm

Education vacancies, job alerts and direct school applications.
Open website ↗

Indeed

Useful for schools, nurseries, agencies and wider support roles.
Open website ↗

National Careers Service

Career information, skills advice and job-search guidance.
Open website ↗

Find an Apprenticeship

Search apprenticeship vacancies and entry routes.
Open website ↗

Direct employer search

Check school, academy trust and nursery websites as well as job boards.
Good habit: check several sources every weekday. Suitable vacancies can close early when an employer receives enough applications.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
JOB SEARCH
06

Search by postcode, not just county

POSTCODE SEARCH

Use ChatGPT as a local vacancy finder

Give it your postcode, realistic travel radius, job types and preferred hours. Ask for direct vacancy links rather than general employer home pages.

Open ChatGPT ↗
Never enter passwords, bank details or unnecessary sensitive information in a job-search prompt.
COPY THIS PROMPT

Find current live vacancies within 5 miles of [YOUR POSTCODE]. I am looking for Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, 1:1 support, midday assistant, breakfast club, after-school club, school administrator, nursery assistant and unqualified early years roles. Show the employer, location, hours, closing date and a direct application link. Put the closest jobs first.

Then ask: “Widen to 10 miles” • “Only show part-time roles” • “Search school websites too”
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
DAILY SEARCH
07

Turn job searching into a routine

01

Set job-site alerts

  • Create accounts on the sites you use
  • Save several job-title searches
  • Use your postcode and travel radius
  • Choose immediate or daily email alerts
02

Ask ChatGPT for a recurring search

“Every weekday at 8.30am, search for newly advertised TA, LSA, SEND, 1:1, midday, breakfast club, after-school, school admin and nursery roles within 5 miles of your postcode.”

Open ChatGPT ↗
Your 15-minute morning routine1. Check alerts2. Shortlist suitable jobs3. Apply or save before closing date4. Record what you have done
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
APPLICATIONS
08

CVs, applications & supporting statements

CV: make relevance obvious

  • Short profile linked to the role
  • Skills relevant to education or early years
  • Most recent work or volunteering first
  • Bootcamp and relevant training clearly listed
  • No invented experience or qualifications
Ask ChatGPT: “Suggest changes that make my CV more relevant to this job description without inventing anything.”

Supporting statement: match the person specification

WHAT THEY WANT+YOUR EXAMPLE+WHAT IT SHOWS

Use evidence. “I am hardworking and caring” is weaker than a short example showing reliability, safeguarding awareness, SEND knowledge or effective support.

Always review AI-assisted text. Your final statement must be true, specific to the vacancy and sound like you.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
INTERVIEWS
09

Interview preparation

Professional job interview

Prepare examples for:

Why this roleSafeguardingSENDBehaviourTeamworkCommunicationConfidentialityProfessional boundariesA challengeYour strengths
Safeguarding: listen, record facts appropriately and report the concern immediately through the setting’s procedure. Do not investigate it yourself.
RESEARCH›PRACTISE›ATTEND›REFLECT
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
EXPERIENCE
10

Build experience while you search

Volunteering

  • Build recent experience
  • Gain examples for interviews
  • Develop confidence and a reference
  • Learn school or nursery routines

Agency / supply

  • Flexible route into settings
  • Can lead to longer placements
  • Useful for rapid experience
  • Keep availability updated

Direct approaches

  • Email nearby schools or nurseries
  • Attach a concise CV
  • Ask about vacancies and volunteering
  • Check websites before contacting
Record your experience.Keep dates, hours, age groups, activities, responsibilities and what you learned. These details become evidence for applications and interviews.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
11

Remove practical barriers early

Transport

  • Check the actual journey before applying
  • Work backwards from required start time
  • Compare bus, train, walking and car options
  • Ask Jobcentre or local employment services about eligible support

Childcare & caring

  • Check wraparound and holiday childcare
  • Explore funded childcare and Tax-Free Childcare
  • Universal Credit may help eligible working parents with childcare costs
  • Plan backup arrangements before interview stage
Open website ↗

Starting-work costs

  • Budget for travel, lunches and workwear
  • Check first payday date
  • Ask about legitimate support before spending
  • Use Citizens Advice or your work coach if benefits are affected
Do the numbers before you rule a job out. Eligible childcare or employment support can change what is affordable.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
SUPPORT
12

Wellbeing, disability & reasonable adjustments

Confidence & wellbeing

Rejection is part of job searching. One employer’s decision is not a judgement on your whole career.

  • Keep a regular routine
  • Measure actions as well as outcomes
  • Ask for interview feedback where appropriate
  • Use NHS support if anxiety or low mood becomes difficult to manage
NHS Talking Therapies ↗

Health, disability & neurodiversity

Reasonable adjustments can support recruitment and work. Access to Work may provide practical support for eligible people with a disability or health condition.

  • Accessible interview arrangements
  • Communication support
  • Equipment or software
  • Support worker or job coach
  • Travel support in eligible circumstances
Access to Work ↗
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
PROGRESSION
13

Keep learning & progressing

Your first job is not your final destination

Once you are working, continue building your knowledge and responsibilities.

TA qualificationsEarly YearsApprenticeshipsSEND CPDMakatonPaediatric First AidSafeguardingMental HealthFunctional SkillsDigital SkillsPastoral SupportHLTA progression
Ask your employer about internal training, apprenticeships, mentoring and progression opportunities.
Teaching assistant supporting pupils
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
COUNTY GUIDE
14

Local jobs & support

DEVON

Use postcode searching because travel distances can be significant. Combine Devon-specific job sites with local Employment Hubs and supported employment.

Employment Hubs can help with CVs, job searching, personal statements, interview preparation and training options.

Devon Employment Hubs

Local in-person, online and phone employment support.
Open website ↗

Connect to Work – Devon

Personalised employment support for eligible people facing barriers.
Open website ↗

Learn Devon

Adult learning, skills and progression opportunities.
Open website ↗
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
COUNTY GUIDE
15

Local jobs & support

ESSEX

Search school support and early years roles directly and use Essex-wide careers services to widen your options.

Essex Schools Jobs covers teaching and support roles across primary, secondary, special and early years settings.

Essex Schools Jobs

Dedicated Essex school and support-staff vacancy site with job alerts.
Open website ↗

Essex Opportunities

Search jobs, apprenticeships and courses by area.
Open website ↗

Connect to Work – Essex

Employment support for eligible residents facing health or other barriers.
Open website ↗

Childcare Choices

National childcare support information for working parents.
Open website ↗
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
COUNTY GUIDE
16

Local jobs & support

KENT

Kent-Teach is a key vacancy source. Connect to Work delivery varies by area, so use the county page to find the right local provider.

Current local Connect to Work providers include:The Forward TrustShaw TrustThe Education People

Kent Connect to Work

Supported employment for eligible jobseekers across Kent and Medway.
Open website ↗

Kent Family Hub

Childcare, cost-of-living, family and employment support.
Open website ↗
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
COUNTY GUIDE
17

Local jobs & support

WILTSHIRE

Use Work Wiltshire alongside council and school vacancies. If travel is a barrier, check the route before applying, particularly for rural settings.

WEST provides specialist supported employment for eligible young people and adults with SEND, including autism.

Work Wiltshire

Employment, skills and training information for Wiltshire residents.
Open website ↗

Wiltshire Council Jobs

Council and partner-organisation vacancies.
Open website ↗

WEST

Specialist supported employment for eligible people with SEND.
Open website ↗

Family & Community Learning

Build confidence, skills and progression towards work or further learning.
Open website ↗
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
ACTION PLAN
18

Your 30 / 60 / 90-day plan

30

First 30 days

  • CV updated
  • Job alerts live
  • Postcode search routine established
  • Agency registrations completed
  • Regular applications made
60

By 60 days

  • Review which applications get responses
  • Improve supporting statements
  • Build recent experience
  • Broaden role titles or travel radius if practical
90

By 90 days

  • Review your target role
  • Identify any training gap
  • Seek support for unresolved barriers
  • Refresh your plan and keep applying
MY NEXT CAREER GOALClick here and type your goal...
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
FINAL CHECK
19

Your next-step checklist

Before you close this guide

  • My CV is current
  • I know which roles I am targeting
  • I have job alerts set up
  • I know how to search by postcode
  • I am applying consistently
  • I have prepared for interviews
  • I know where to get local support
  • I have considered volunteering, agency or temporary work
  • I have a plan for transport and childcare
  • I know my next learning or career goal

Quick links

Find a Job ↗MyNewTerm ↗Childcare Choices ↗Access to Work ↗National Careers Service ↗
Save this flipbook. The links stay live, so you can return whenever you need to restart or refresh your job search.
TiEGr | Your Next StepCareers • Employment • Progression
Adult learner receiving support
FROM EVERYONE AT TiEGr

Thank you.
Keep going.

Your Skills Bootcamp may have finished, but the knowledge, confidence and experience you have built belong to you. Keep applying, keep learning and keep using the support available to you.

“Your next chapter is just beginning.”
The International Education Group LtdWe wish you every success