LSA - Primary SEMH

Learning Support Assistant - Primary

Location: Colchester, Essex

Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary)

Hours: 34 hours per week

Contract: Fixed-term initially, with potential for extension/permanent employment

Start Date: September 2026

Empowering Learning are recruiting on behalf of an established education trust for a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to support primary pupils at a specialist education provision in Colchester.

The Role

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support to primary-aged pupils with a range of SEND needs.
• Support children who may have experienced trauma, adversity or challenging circumstances.
• Build positive, trusting and respectful relationships with pupils.
• Support children's learning, progress, attainment and emotional wellbeing.
• Assist with interventions and contribute to planning, assessment and monitoring pupil progress.
• Promote positive behaviour and model appropriate relationships and communication.
• Help pupils develop social, emotional and life skills to support future transitions.
• Work closely with teachers, the SENCo, senior leaders and other professionals.
• Communicate effectively with parents, carers and colleagues.
• Support pupils during off‑site activities and visits where required.
• Attend relevant meetings, training and professional development.
• Maintain a strong awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

About You

The trust is looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of primary-aged children.
• Resilient, patient and able to remain calm in a challenging and fast-paced environment.
• Experienced in, or keen to develop their experience of, supporting children with SEND.
• Able to build positive relationships with children who may have experienced trauma or adversity.
• Confident supporting positive behaviour and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• A strong communicator who works well as part of a team.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage their own workload.
• Confident using ICT to support learning.
• Committed to safeguarding, equality and inclusion.
• Willing to undertake relevant training and continually develop their skills.

Experience within primary education, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, behaviour support or children's services would be advantageous, but is not essential.

What the Trust Offers

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
• Extensive professional development, including opportunities to develop your SEND knowledge.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to primary-aged pupils who face barriers to education.
• A values-led environment focused on inclusion, wellbeing and high expectations.
• Opportunities to develop your career within an established education trust.
• Ongoing training and support.

Working Hours

34 hours per week:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm

Contract & Salary

The role is offered initially on a 12-week temporary-to‑fixed‑term basis through Empowering Learning, with the successful candidate then transferring to the trust on a fixed‑term contract until 21 July 2027.

A decision regarding extension into the 2027/28 academic year or a permanent position will be made during the Summer Term 2027.

Salary: £23,742 - £24,917 per annum (actual salary), Scale 5, Points 10-13.

Empowering Learning is recruiting on behalf of the trust.

All successful applicants will be subject to the appropriate safeguarding and recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references, right to work verification and qualification checks where applicable.

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