Learning Support Assistant - Term time only

Priory Education and Children’s Services is a leading company in the UK offering independent behavioural care for commissioners across the UK. 

With over 100 high quality schools, colleges and homes we focus on making a real and lasting difference for everyone we support.

Strathmore College is a residential and day college in Stoke on Trent.  The college provides for learners aged 16-25 years who have learning difficulties, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties/disability.  The cohort of learners’ needs include mild to severe learning difficulty/disability, Downs Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Conditions, speech and language difficulties coupled with other health related, mental or physical difficulties.  The learner’s needs are increasingly more complex, with a number of learners who were NEET and those who were finding engaging in education and learning challenging. The College uses meaningful, practical learning activities to engage and motivate learners.

As a Learning Support Assistant you will be a key member of our team, providing high standards of person-centred support and care to our service users. Through a creative and caring approach, you will build good relationships with both service users and their families, supporting service users in the planning of goals and in living as independently as possible. Both personal care and participation in activities are key tasks for the role, so energy and initiative is vital; experience however is not essential, providing you have a willingness to learn and the compassion and patience needed to support.

Overall the role of Learner Support Assistant is to assist in providing the best possible environment in which the educational, support and developmental needs of individual learners can be met.

Key Accountabilities:

•     Ensure safeguarding of learners at all times.
•     During curriculum activities, under the direction of the Tutor, provide support to enable learners to achieve their learning aims.
•     Support learners to achieve their aims and aspirations in the wider learning experiences.
•     Assist in the assessment of learners, to ensure that an accurate baseline of developmental needs is identified.  
•     Establish a good relationship with learners by using language and other communication skills that learners can understand and relate to.
•     Encourage and enable learners to make informed choices in their lives and assist them in working through the consequences and taking responsibility for their behaviour.
•     Support the well-being of learners in their emotional and social, personal development.
•     Record progress and achievement of learners.
•     Meet the needs of learners by following support and safety plans and risk assessments
•     To assist with language, literacy and numeracy development, and other activities under the direction of the Tutor.
•     Attend and contribute to planned college events which promote the college and enhances the learners experience.
•     Where deemed necessary, escort learners when engaged in off-site activities and visits, and provide assistance and instruction where needed.  Drive college mini buses as required to support learners.
•     Monitor and maintain domestic standards and resources and report all shortcomings to the line manager.
•     Undertake general domestic and workplace duties (tidying, cleaning, laundry work, cooking etc).
•     Assist management in any aspect of learner training and care, or any other task deemed necessary to promote the interests and welfare of learners.  To attend and participate as required in reviews and other internal and external meetings.
•     Attend and follow the procedure for staff meetings, case conferences etc. as required.
•   Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the Principal or their delegate.

Innovation:

•     To provide high quality personalised support which enables learners to develop and continue to work towards their aspirations.

Knowledge & Skills:

   •  An NVQ2 qualification (or equivalent) as a starting point which is appropriate to the teaching and learning environment of learners and young people.

Experience:

   • Previous experience within a relevant educational environment.

Working environment:

The educational and social challenges experienced by young people and learners may, at times, give rise to unusual or anti-social behaviour, which can be very emotionally and physically demanding.

References

For all roles we require a minimum of two references.  References provided must cover the last 3 years, or you are applying to work within our Children’s Homes we will need to request all references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults.

Please be advised that references will be requested prior to interview for all roles within our schools. 

About us

From education to hospitals, care homes and secure facilities, the Priory Group of Companies offers individually tailored, multidisciplinary treatment programmes for those with complex educational needs or requiring acute, long-term and respite mental healthcare. 

Disclosure

Priory Education Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and disclosures with the relevant body at an enhanced level. We are an equal opportunities employer.