Learning Support Assistant (SEMH/SEN/ASC), Shaftesbury

Due to continual growth, new positions are available to join our team of talented Learning Support Assistants who work with the class Teachers to help plan and deliver lessons, and with the Pastoral Support Team and Therapists.

These roles are available to start as soon as possible, and we are also recruiting to start in September.

We would like to hear from you if you have a passion for supporting pupils with SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health) difficulties and those with a range of neurodiverse conditions including autism. Ideally you will have experience of working as a SEND Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant, with children who have additional complex needs.  

We will consider mainstream experienced Learning Support/Teaching Assistants looking to further your career within Special Education, and those who have a passion for helping children overcoming barriers to learning. 

Our school  

Coombe House School is an independent special school that provides education for pupils aged 5 to 19 with SEMH and ASD and associated difficulties, which represents the largest group of children and young people supported by an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in Dorset and nationally. All pupils on roll have an EHCP. The school uses a therapeutic approach to support pupils with their individual difficulties. Everything the school does is based on the formation and maintenance of positive relationships and viewing all behaviour as communication. 

We are seeking candidates who thrive on working in a challenging but immensely rewarding environment, who are passionate about supporting the development of social, life and independence skills and who truly want to make a difference in the lives of pupils. Our Learning Support Assistants are kind, patient, calm and compassionate who work on building trusting relationships with our pupils.  

More about the role: 

• Assist teachers and other staff to create a positive learning environment. 
• Capacity to offer therapeutic support to pupils. 
• Engage pupils in activities and learning planned by the teacher - both on and off site. 
• Support pupils in managing their behaviour and learning. 
• Equip pupils with essential coping skills. 
• Support pupils to improve their behaviour through a positive behaviour approach. 
• Teach pupils emotional self-regulation skills and social interaction and communication skills under the guidance of the class teacher. 

Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role. If you would like to work at a very special, caring, and nurturing school, please complete the application process. 

Excellent salary range from £23,893 – £25,979 FTE per annum (Actual term time only for this position is £21,033.54 to £22,869.89 per annum). Working hours are: 

Full Time (35 hours)

08.30 – 16.00 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 

08.30 – 16.30 on a Wednesday 

08.30 – 15.30 on a Friday 

Part time, full days also available – must include a Wednesday due to staff training, and a minimum 3 days per week.

The school is accessed via a private road and enjoys a secluded setting within its grounds. The accommodation extends to over 160,000 sq ft, set within in grounds of 55 acres.  

What Coombe House School can offer you: 

• A workplace set in beautiful surroundings. 
• Competitive salary. 
• Access to an employee assistance programme. 
• Enhanced Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution). 
• Continuous professional development and training 
• Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.  
• Highly supportive leadership team and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of other SEN Specialists. 
• The opportunity to play an integral part at the infancy of this exciting and unique journey. 

We will commence interviews from 11th April so don’t delay in making an application.  

This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.