Learning Support Assistant

London Source: WhatJobs

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A welcoming and specialist SEN school in Chislehurst is looking for a dedicated Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant to join its team and provide high-quality support to children with a range of learning difficulties, physical disabilities and complex additional needs.

This is a hands-on and rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to children who may require additional support with learning, communication, mobility, personal care and developing their independence.

You'll be joining a nurturing specialist environment where every pupil is supported as an individual, with staff working closely together to help children overcome barriers and achieve their potential.

The Pupils You'll Support

You'll work with children and young people who may have a range of additional needs, including:

Learning difficulties and developmental needs.
Physical disabilities and mobility difficulties.
Complex and profound learning needs.
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
Speech, language and communication needs.
Personal care and intimate care requirements.

What Will Your Day Look Like?

Working closely with class teachers, the SENCO and the wider specialist support team, you'll help ensure pupils can participate meaningfully in school life.

You'll:

* Provide focused 1:1 and small-group support.
* Support pupils with learning activities and classroom tasks.
* Adapt activities and resources to meet individual needs.
* Break learning into manageable steps and provide additional guidance where required.
* Support pupils with communication and interaction.
* Use positive and consistent approaches to support engagement and behaviour.
* Help pupils manage changes in routine and unfamiliar situations.

You'll also have the opportunity to work alongside a multidisciplinary team, which may include teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, nurses, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other specialist professionals.

Building Trust Comes First

In specialist education, strong relationships are at the heart of effective support.

You'll take the time to understand each pupil as an individual - how they communicate, what motivates them, what they enjoy, what they find challenging and what support helps them feel safe and confident.

For some children, communication may look different. You may need to recognise non-verbal communication, gestures, facial expressions, changes in behaviour or other forms of communication.

You'll need to know when a pupil needs encouragement, when they need reassurance, when they need additional structure and when giving them the opportunity to do something independently is the most valuable support you can provide.

The role can be physically and emotionally demanding at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

A small achievement can represent a huge milestone for a child.

Who Would Suit This Role?

We're particularly interested in hearing from people who have experience supporting children or young people with SEND, learning difficulties, physical disabilities or complex needs, whether this has been gained within a school, specialist provision, care setting, residential environment or another relevant setting.

Experience of working with children with physical disabilities, complex learning needs or personal care requirements would be particularly valuable.

You’ll need to be someone who:

* Is patient, compassionate and emotionally resilient.
* Builds warm, trusting and professional relationships with pupils.
* Understands that every child communicates and learns differently.
* Can remain calm and reassuring when a pupil is distressed or struggling.
* Is comfortable providing personal and intimate care where required.
* Is respectful of pupils’ dignity, privacy and individual needs.
* Can follow individual care plans, risk assessments and guidance from specialist professionals.
* Is confident working as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge or experience of EHCPs, autism, communication needs, physical disabilities, complex learning needs, personal care, mobility support or positive behaviour approaches would be particularly beneficial.

Develop Your Specialist SEND Experience

This isn't simply an extra pair of hands in the classroom.

You'll gain valuable experience working in a specialist SEN environment alongside experienced teachers, support staff and other professionals.

The opportunity includes:

* A full-time position in Chislehurst.
* Competitive pay dependent on experience.
* Experience supporting children with a wide range of learning and physical needs.
* Experience within a specialist SEN school environment.
* Opportunities to develop your understanding of personal care, mobility and individualised support.
* Ongoing guidance from experienced school staff.
* Access to professional development and training.
* Support from a dedicated education consultant.
* Valuable experience for anyone looking to progress within SEND, education, healthcare, therapy, social care or related professions.

Sometimes, progress is simply helping a child feel safe, understood and ready to learn.

As a Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant, you'll be there to provide that support - helping pupils develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to participate as fully as possible in school and beyond.

Requirements

* Enhanced DBS for Adults and Children, on the Update Service (or willingness to apply).
* Right to work in the UK.
* Relevant professional references.
* Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEND is desirable.
* Experience of learning difficulties, physical disabilities, personal care or complex needs is desirable but not essential.
* A willingness to undertake relevant training and follow individual care and support plans.

Safeguarding Statement

Classroom Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, referencing covering the last two years, and other safeguarding checks in line with DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education.