Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Salary: £17,204 - £18,124

Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale

Hours: 8-4pm/5pm with occasional extra requirements (Term Time only)

 Contract: Permanent

If you really want to make your mark in a rapidly growing business that is committed to improving the lives of children and young people, we have the role for you!

We’re looking for Teaching Assistants to join our team at Underley based in Kirkby Lonsdale. Someone who is motivated by helping others, patient and resilient would be perfect for this role.

About the school

Underley Garden School is an Ofsted Outstanding School and outstanding children’s home. Our children have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.

We want people who focus on ensuring positive outcomes for our children and take responsibility for helping improve their lives. We share the value of creating a safe and nurturing home and we want people who can be fair and respectful, in order to do the right thing to support everyone in our care.

About the Group

We are part of Acorn Care and Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

Acorn Care and Education provide education and care across 20 schools and 19 residential children’s homes nationally. Our vision is to build incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people in the UK to be happy and to make their way in the world. Every day we improve the lives of thousands of young people, their families and communities through a relentless focus on caring and learning.

About the Role

Are you looking to start a career in education? Do you want to make an invaluable difference to young people with special educational needs? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a number of individuals to begin a career as a Teaching Assistant, within our supportive environment at Underley.

As a TA, you will be responsible for safeguarding the young people and making sure they are healthy, safe and as comfortable as possible. You will assist in their learning by offering companionship and support, whilst ensuring their physical, mental and emotional needs are met. You will be required to prepare learning materials under the supervision of the teachers and to participate in learning activities. The TA will also be required to liaise with parents and staff with regards to the wellbeing of the young people.

This role involves working with young people who have complex behaviour associated with their autism and learning needs. You will be trained to deescalate these situations and put in place pro-active strategies to avoid similar situations in future.

Who we are looking for?

As a dedicated Special Educational Needs school, we require a person who has a clear motivation for working with young people with complex needs. We do not necessarily require you to be experienced as full training and support will be provided. However, you will need to be compassionate, enthusiastic, reliable and resilient. The ideal candidate should work well within a team, be able to organise and plan a workload, communicate effectively and be prepared to work with varying types of difficulties.

A grade A*-C GCSE or equivalent, in core subjects is desirable. A driving licence would also be desirable as a lot of our lessons and activities are off site.

For the right candidate, we are fully prepared to support you with training and further qualifications.

We will accept applications from unqualified Teaching Assistants and those that hold a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification. Your salary will be dependent on your experience and qualifications:

£17,204 - Unqualified

£18,124 - Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent 

Key responsibilities

• Provide a safe, caring and healthy environment where the children can thrive and develop their independence
• Promote and celebrate diversity
• Safeguard all children and support them with their individual and personal needs
• Support and facilitate the learning of students
• To follow school policy and procedures for recording and reporting
• Please see the Job description for further responsibilities.

Why work for us?

• Opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and make a positive difference
• Be part of a supportive and dedicated team
• Continuous professional development and training
• Funded NVQ 3
• Internal Promotion
• Staff meals
• Use of our Windermere campsite
• Team building
• Potential overtime
• Free Gym membership
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – The ability to speak to a councillor for support regarding your mental health.
• Employee Rewards Hub – An app which offers high-street discounts, hints and tips.

 

Acorn Care and Education are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to fully Enhanced DBS. We expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment and strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for everybody in our care. A full application form must be completed with all employment dates accurate and gaps in employment accounted for.