Learning Support Assistant

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Job Title:   Learning Support Assistant
Location:   Crookhey Hall, Cockerham, Lancaster, LA2 0HA
Hours:       37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am - 4pm
Salary:       £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:   Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Looking for a career where your patience, encouragement and personality can make a genuine difference? At Crookhey Hall, we’re looking for a caring, positive and resilient Learning Support Assistant to join our supportive team and help young people overcome barriers, build confidence and experience success in education.

This is much more than classroom support. You’ll become a trusted and consistent role model, getting to know pupils as individuals and understanding what helps them feel safe, engaged and ready to learn.

Some days you’ll be supporting learning in the classroom or working 1:1 with a pupil. On others, you could be getting involved in practical activities, educational visits or helping a young person navigate a difficult moment.

The achievements might look different for every pupil, completing a piece of work, communicating how they feel, becoming more independent or simply having the confidence to try something new.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide 1:1, small-group and classroom support, helping pupils engage with learning and achieve their individual goals.

• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, valued and understood.

• Work alongside teachers and other professionals to deliver personalised learning and individual support programmes.

• Encourage pupils to develop greater confidence, independence, communication and life skills.

• Provide calm, consistent support when pupils experience challenges or barriers to learning.

• Observe and celebrate pupil progress, sharing relevant information with teachers and the wider team.

• Get involved in learning beyond the classroom, including activities, recreation and educational visits.

• Help create a positive and nurturing school environment where every achievement is recognised and every pupil is encouraged to succeed.

Who We’re Looking For

Your Attitude Matters as Much as Your Experience You don’t need to have worked in a specialist school before. You might already work in education, or have transferable experience from care, support work, youth work, coaching, residential care or another people-focused environment.

What matters most is that you have the patience, resilience and commitment to build positive relationships with young people.

You’ll need:

• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent.

• A Full UK Driving Licence.

• A caring, patient and positive approach to supporting young people.

• The resilience to remain calm and consistent when situations become challenging.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Reliability, professionalism and an understanding of confidentiality.

• A willingness to learn, develop and adapt your approach around individual pupil needs.

• A genuine commitment to helping every young person achieve their potential.

About Us

Crookhey Hall School is a Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) School which caters for boys and girls aged 10 - 17 years of age. We provide young people with an educational experience that will not only extend their academic and vocational social skills and abilities but will also promote personal growth and help to build self-esteem. In this way it is hoped that each individual will aspire to achieve their full potential, eventually leaving school with the determination to make a positive contribution to society in the years to come.

Crookhey Hall School has a 15-acre setting in countryside south of Cockerham, near Lancaster. Due to the location, it would be beneficial for candidates to have a driving licence.

The aim of the site is to provide enough support to unlock each pupil’s potential so they can live fulfilling and productive lives. We provide young people with as much freedom as possible in a safe and supervised environment. This is achievable due to the dedication and support from a range of employed professionals who are passionate, reliable, and understanding.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance

• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks

• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:

  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits

  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts

  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme

  • Critical illness cover

  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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